The culprit who got Aaron Boone ejected from the Yankees game has been identified.
Boone was ejected by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt just two batters into Monday’s game versus the A’s at Yankee Stadium after a fan took issue with a call and the umpire apparently mistakenly believed the complaint came from the Yankees’ manager.
Shortly after the ejection, YES Network got to the bottom of the matter.
“So the fan in the blue shirt is the one who says something to Hunter Wendelstedt — that’s what he reacts to, and he kicks out Aaron Boone, who says, ‘Whoa! I didn’t say anything!’” play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco explained.
“And [Yankees bench coach] Brad Ausmus is saying, ‘It’s a fan! It’s a fan!’ And Hunter Wendelstedt, as we heard so cleanly on our audio, said, ‘I don’t care!’”
The ejection happened in the top of the first inning after a Carlos Rodon pitch to Tyler Nevin.
Boone protested that he wasn’t the one who made the complaint that struck a nerve with Wendelstedt, and after the aforementioned “I don’t care” response, the Yankees’ skipper raced out to confront Wendelstedt.
Boone had previously voiced his displeasure with Wendelstedt ruling the game’s first batter, Esteury Ruiz, had not swung on a pitch that hit him, which granted him first base.
“What do you mean you don’t care? I did not say a word. That’s bulls–t,” Boone griped.
This was Boone’s second ejection of the season, and Ausmus took over the managerial duties for the remainder of the matinee game.
The Yankees entered Monday’s game with a 15-7 record, atop the AL East with a half-game lead over the Orioles.
