MLB umpire Dan Bellino apologizes for role in Madison Bumgarner incident
It is not every day you see an MLB umpire issue an apology, but the circumstances of Madison Bumgarner's ejection on Wednesday apparently required one.
Umpire Dan Bellino apologized for his role in the incident during an Arizona Diamondbacks-Miami Marlins game, via ESPN:
"I would like to address my actions on May 4 involving Madison Bumgarner," the statement said. "When I began my MLB career almost 15 years ago, I received some good advice. I was told to umpire every game as if my children were sitting in the front row. I fell short of those expectations this week. While I can't go back and change what happened, I take full accountability. I will learn from this incident, and I sincerely apologize."
The incident occurred following the first inning on Wednesday, in which Bumgarner had been visibly annoyed with a pair of ball-strike calls by home plate umpire Ryan Wills.
Bumgarner stopped by the dugout for Bellino to perform a post-inning hand check for sticky foreign substances, at which point Bellino stared down the veteran southpaw until the latter made a comment, triggering an ejection. A livid Bumgarner had to be pulled into the dugout by bench coach Jeff Banister.
Madison Bumgarner has been ejected. Lots happening here. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/SGl0tZIQZM
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 4, 2022
Bellino received significant criticism for his behavior, with many believing he instigated the incident. Bumgarner has been no stranger to confrontation in his career, but Bellino seemed a little too ready to toss the pitcher as soon as he made a comment, believed by some online lip-readers to be "Take your f***ing time."
Replay showed just how much Bellino was staring down an initially confused Bumgarner.
Is this a hypnosis or a hand check? pic.twitter.com/Yw8aeTf4RF
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 4, 2022
Bumgarner's ejection left the Diamondbacks needing eight innings from their bullpen, which stepped up enough to help deliver a dramatic 8-7 win over the Marlins, punctuated by a Pavin Smith two-run homer in the ninth inning.
