Umpire Tensions on the Rise: Part 2

Years ago, umpires could get away with making unfair calls toward managers and players who disrespected them. Nowadays, this would get noticed and the umpire would face possible punishment by the league. Managers realize getting a late inning ejection isn't costly to their team's success; they can watch the game on TV from inside the clubhouse, and have runners relay their late-inning decisions to the acting manager in the dugout. If anything, the only effect of the home team manager getting tossed is that is pumps up the fans, and gets the players' adrenaline going. 

The power of ejecting the players is more meaningful, as this has a direct impact to on-field play. Players are wary of this, which is why the managers often to the arguing for them. The home managers turn the umpires into a target for the fans to jaw at and boo, while making their case regarding the man in blue's call. Everyone has witnessed, or watched at least a few famous outbursts, such as the rather amusing ejection of Mississippi Braves manager Phillip Wellman that was made famous by Sportscenter. Around since the dawn days of baseball, these tirades are an aspect of the game that makes it so amusing to the fans.

However, they are increasing at a rather quick pace, so much that there is now an Umpire Ejection Fantasy League, which has received a few Sportscenter shout-outs as well. Links to more notable/entertaining ejections are below.

- Nationals minor league prodigy Bryce Harper
- Remember Jose Offerman? Here he is getting banned by a Dominican Winter League after this tirade.
- South Georgia Peanuts manager Wally Backman goes overboard. *Warning, explicit content.
- And, of course, Lou Piniella, and his famous Wrigley meltdown.

Part 3 in a few days.