Boston Red Sox starter Walker Buehler was ejected from Tuesday night's game against the New York Mets for cursing out the home plate umpire.
It happened in the top of the third inning with one out and Mets runner Francisco Lindor on first (after being hit by a pitch) in a scoreless game. On the 0-1 pitch to Mets batter Juan Soto, Buehler threw a 89 mph cutter in the lower outside corner of the strike zone with catcher Carlos Narvaez ready to throw to second as Lindor attempted to steal second. Narvaez made a solid throw to shortstop Trevor Story, who was covering the bag at second. However, Lindor got an excellent jump, and he reached second before Story caught the ball from Narvaez.
Before Buehler threw another pitch, he was surprised to learn that home plate umpire Mike Estabrook called the previous pitch a ball. He became rather angry about it and walked towards Estabrook to argue his case as Narvaez stepped in with a desparate attempt to calm him down. Ultimately it was too late as Buehler cursed out Estabrook, which led to his ejection.
Walker F'n Buehler living up to his Nickname.🤬
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 20, 2025
(The pitch should definitely have been a strike)
WFB was Ejected. pic.twitter.com/lluhVmzClp
A television camera captured Buehler saying "What? It's right down the f***ing middle! It's right down the f***ing middle! F*** you!"
We would guess it was that last comment by Buehler that was the final straw. Sometimes an umpire will give a player some slack when they drop an F-bomb as they disagree with a call. In this case, Buehler technically was right as the pitch should have been called a strike. However, Buehler has to keep his emotions in check, and he clearly crossed the line here.
Buehler's early exit put some added stress on the Red Sox bullpen, as reliever Brennan Bernardino was forced to step in for Buehler. Fortunately, Bernardino managed to get out of the inning without giving up a run. At the end of four innings, the game is still scoreless.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
