MLB: Umpire who ejected Max Scherzer has his record

For the past couple of years, the MLB commissioner’s office has been asking its referees on the ground intensify the search for forbidden substances that improve the pitchers’ grip on the ball. However, since the implementation of routine checks, only three pitchers have been ejected in Big leaguesincluding Max Scherzer as the most recent, by chance that in each and every one of those expulsions has been the same umpire.

Héctor Santiago (Mariners), Caleb Smith (D’backs) and Scherzer (Mets) are the three victims of Phil Cuzzi.

• In June 2021, just a few days after the implementation of routine checks, the Dominican Hector Santiago was the first player in the history ejected in the Major Leagues for the use of prohibited substances to improve your grip. Despite appealing the decision, he had to serve a 10-game suspension.
• Just a couple of months later, in August 2021, the pitcher’s glove Caleb Smith it raised suspicions among the referees, causing them to send him off. Like Santiago, he appealed the suspension, but also failed in the attempt to reverse the decision.
• Two years after the last incident, Max Scherzer He was the one who found himself in the middle of the controversy after Cuzzi asked him for his glove to check it. Despite a strong discussion in which “Mad Max” assured that it was sweat and rosinthe tar dust that for years has been allowed to be used in the Major Leagues.

Cuzzi has had great chapters in his career as a major league umpire. Debuted in June 1991although his career was halted in 1993 as there were no full-time slots. Worked as a substitute teacher and bartender in those years until 1996, when he met with Len Coleman, the president of the National League, who gave him the opportunity to umpire again, but he had to earn his place working from the most basic affiliates in the minor leagues.

has worked in a World Seriesbeing the umpire behind the plate in Game 1 of the Fall Classic in 2017, called up three Championship Series and seven Series Divisionales. He’s also gone to three no-hitters.

However, he has also had other controversial episodes in his career, as happened in a game in August 2000 when ejected seven players from Tampa Bay Rays players and none of the Boston Red Sox.

He was also responsible for expel remembered Yankees outfielder Brett Gardnerwhen he began pounding the barrel of the bat on the roof of the Bronx Bombers’ dugout in a game in mid-August 2019.