2011 UEFL Awards: Ejections of the Year: Ed Rapuano and Alfonso Marquez (19 and 72)
Ed Rapuano's ejection of Jim Leyland and Alfonso Marquez' ejection of Jon Rauch are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 Ejections of the Year.
On June 27, Rapuano initially and incorrectly had ruled Tigers batter Andy Dirks safe at first base on a tag play. After conferring with HP Umpire Marquez, Rapuano reversed his call and correctly declared Dirks out. As Leyland came out to argue the call, he was ejected.
UEFL'er Jon Terry watched this peculiar sequence without audio, and observed "Rapuano making a very unsure call, Farrell asking for a completely justified appeal, two umpires getting it right, and Leyland making an utterly shameful display of himself." Many commenters were amused by Leyland's exaggerated antics, with one UEFL'er remarking, "I wish they would turn up those on-field mics just a bit louder. That conversation had to have been priceless."
On July 2, Marquez ruled Phillies baserunner Chase Utley safe on a routine play at the plate. Rauch had been unhappy with what he perceived was an unfair strike zone and promptly was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.
Though his strike zone came into question, many commenters marveled at the sheer visual spectacle of a very angry 6'11" Rauch being restrained by three Blue Jays personnel, all the while ripping off his jersey and vehemently yelling at a calm and unflinching Marquez, who is 5'11" in height and considerably thinner than Rauch. As one UEFL'er put it, "This argument was 'big league'. Awesome."
Ed Rapuano now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 1 Award = 5).
Alfonso Marquez now has 21 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (20 Previous + 1 Award = 21).
The next postseason award, Crew Chief of the Year, will be released tomorrow.
