Milwaukee Brewers: How did Craig Counsell earn an ejection?

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell earned his first ejection on Sunday against the Mets. Find out why below…

As a player, Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell was never ejected from a game. He earned his first ejection four months into the regular season of his first season at the helm of the Brewers. His ejection on Sunday was eighth of his managerial career, but it came with cause.

What happened on Sunday?

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jett Bandy was called out on a very borderline pitch from Mets starter Noah Syndergaard in the fifth inning on Sunday. He started to argue with home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Counsell ran out to cover for his player, and was tossed as soon as he motioned toward Wendelstedt.

Why toss Counsell?

The rules of Major League Baseball  actually state that players and managers can’t argue balls and strikes. Even attempting to argue elicits a warning from the umpire. Continuing to protest earns an ejection.

Bandy is currently the only healthy catcher on the Milwaukee Brewers roster. If he was tossed, either Manny Pina would have to get behind the plate with a sore calf, or Hernan Perez would put on the gear. The Brewers needed Bandy to stay in the game, and Counsell had to take one for the team. Pina has missed four games with a sore calf, but should return some time next week.

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While it’s unfortunate that Counsell had to watch the final four innings from his office, he was correct in taking the ejection. If Bandy earned the heave-ho, the Brewers would have been in a tough spot. The manager needed to take the ejection for the team, and he did.