NewsManuel ejected after obstruction call
According to ump, manager made contact during argumentBy Marty Noble / MLB.com
05/08/09 1:06 AM ET
NEW YORK -- What appeared to be contact initiated by a Phillies baserunner also initiated a series of developments that may lead to the suspension of Mets manager Jerry Manuel.Manuel made contact with first-base umpire Bill Welke in the eighth inning Thursday night while disputing an obstruction call against Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.
Manuel didn't see eye to eye with Welke, so he went nose to nose with him. The manager was angry and animated as he argued with Welke for the third time in what became his team's 7-5 victory against the Phillies.
According to Welke, Manuel brushed his cap with the bill of his own cap as he screamed at the umpire.
"We'll have to report on that," crew chief Tim Welke, Bill's brother, said.
Minor incidental contact with an umpire often brings suspension.
Shane Victorino was the runner on first base when Chase Utley hit a ground ball to the right side. After Utley was put out at first base, a rundown of Victorino ensued. At one point, Victorino turned and appeared to move toward Mets second baseman Luis Castillo, lifting his arms as he did, rather than toward second base. Welke immediately signaled Victorino safe even as the rundown continued.
"I thought [Victorino] went out of his way to create contact," Manuel said later.
Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer -- Victorino was on base -- after the Mets had achieved what would have been the third out of the inning had Reyes not be charged with obstruction.
Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
