Infuriated New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone let MLB umpire Laz Diaz have it over two blown strike calls, even drawing a line in the dirt to show Diaz where the ball traveled — but that was not all Boone did, as he mocked the umpire by imitating his actions in calling a batter out.
In reporting on Boone losing it Monday evening in the Yankees’ loss, the New York Post sports headline declared, “Whine in the sand.”
The manager took exception to Diaz’s generous strike zone during the Yankees’ series-opening 5-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox, charging onto the field to scream at the home plate umpire.
The two went at it hard, with Boone quickly being ejected before another member of the umpire crew escorted him off the field along with bench coach Carlos Mendoza.
“I hear about it every f**king day,” Boone reportedly yelled. “You’re sh*t.”
Aaron Boone drew a line in the dirt and showed Laz Diaz how bad his strike zone was tonight
All time ejection @StoolBaseball pic.twitter.com/mI1VXT8bEB
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 8, 2023
Here’s the pitch that sent Boone over the edge — you be the judge as to whether it was an egregious call or not:
Aaron Boone had enough with Laz Diaz after he rung up Anthony Volpe and goes on a wild rant which included imitating Diaz’s strike three call pic.twitter.com/Qdz1rposRg
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 8, 2023
As for his Diaz imitation, the manager had his antagonist down pat:
Laz Díaz and Aaron Boone imitating Laz Díaz
(Aaron Boone is on the right) pic.twitter.com/czwUhBLieP— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 8, 2023
Yankees fans seemed to know which side they were on, even the very young ones!
Kids heckling Laz Díaz pic.twitter.com/MUBUnkWzQf
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 8, 2023
Speaking of fans, Diaz was once attacked by a fan acting as first base umpire. The assault took place in April 2003 in a game between the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox — Royals players and security came to his aid.
A former U.S. Marine Reserve, Diaz told a reporter at the time, “I’m physically OK. I think you should talk to the other guy and see how he’s feeling.”
Or you could FAFO w/Laz Diaz, and he kicked this dude’s ass himself, plus Royals players immediately jumped in, plus security & both benches emptied. pic.twitter.com/SMHsyIxARG
— ᴛᴏɴʏ ᴡᴜᴇɴᴄʜ (@twuench) August 3, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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