George Springer knew the truth.
Somehow, the umpires and the video replay disagreed.
And one of the most measured players in MLB lost his cool.
Springer erupted on home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez on Tuesday after being ejected for arguing a blown call during the Blue Jays’ 6-1 road win over the Angels.
The veteran had to be held back by manager John Schneider and teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. following a ruling that he had not been hit by a pitch that seemed to graze him.
The ejection marked just the second of his 11-year career, per MLB.com.
“I was just kind of in shock at the call. It is what it is,” Springer said. “If you argue the call on that situation, it’s an automatic ejection. I get it. I know the rules.”
Springer is known for being a calm player, but even he could not stand for this ruling in what has been a frustrating year for both the 34-year-old and the Blue Jays.
It appeared a 1-2 pitch from Angels lefty reliever Kenny Rosenberg clipped Springer on his foot, with Springer starting to walk to first, but Gonzalez did not rule that Springer had been hit.
The Blue Jays challenged the ruling, but the video replay center in New York ruled that the call “stands.”
One of the Blue Jays announcers could not believe the ruling and predicted the future.
“No way,” the announcer said. “If I’m George Springer, I’m getting ejected from this game. I know it’s not them but there is no way. That ball hit George Springer’s foot and directionally changed direction.”
Well, that’s exactly what happened.
Springer could be heard on a hot mic saying “What?” and then argued the call while Schneider came out to the field.
Gonzalez then gave Springer the quick hook and fireworks ensued.
Springer pointed in Gonzalez’s face and yelled while Schneider held him back before Guerrero, due up in two batters, came out to help.
Guerrero had to work as Springer attempted to evade him to get back toward the umpires before finally retreating to the dugout while boos rained down.
Springer maintained the pitch unquestionably hit him and said Gonzalez told him he did not see the clipping due to how Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe slid to corral the ball.
“I don’t need to see the replay. I know it hit me. I’m not going to say it didn’t hit me if it didn’t hit me,” Springer said. “I want to hit, it doesn’t matter how I’m doing individually. I know it hit me in the foot, but it is what it is.”
Schneider had no doubts about Springer’s side of the story.
“George isn’t going to look into the dugout and say he got hit if he didn’t get hit,” Schneider said, per MLB.com. “It was pretty clear from our view that he did. Maybe there wasn’t an angle in New York to get it.
“I thought there’s no need to throw George out there. He was kind of walking away and gathering himself. That was, I think, why he reacted the way he did.”
Springer, who finished 0-for-2 with a walk, acknowledged he could have handled the situation differently.
“I gotta be better,” the right fielder said, per MLB.com. “There’s kids in the stands. I don’t want my sons to see me get that mad. So, I gotta be better.”
