Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella on national TV on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball was ejected for arguing a check swing call. Technically you cannot argue balls and strike calls but technically this is NOT A BALL AND STRIKE CALL - it is a CHECK SWING call. Did he swing or not- the ball itself was clearly outside the strike zone. Lou approached the first base umpire who warned him and then Lou turned around to head back to the dugout. He had already been ejected by the home plate umpire who then flashed the second ejection sign in Lou's face. Clearly on the replay the umpire at first base blew the call. Clearly also Lou was heading back to the dugout and the first base umpire had exercised control of the situation and there was no need to proceed further. Unbeknownst to Lou, home plate minor league fill in Rob Drake decided this was his day to make a name for himself on national TV and become part of the show. He had his mask off and ready for a confrontation with Lou as he first threw him out behind his back and then again in front of him.
