ATLANTA - Bobby Cox didn't take long to add to his record for most ejections.
One night after he surpassed John McGraw, the Atlanta Braves manager was tossed Wednesday for arguing a balk call against Tim Hudson.
It was the 133rd ejection of Cox's career. He picked up his 132nd in the opener of a series against the San Francisco Giants, eclipsing the mark initially set by the Hall of Famer known as ``Little Napoleon,'' who spent his long managing career with the New York Giants in the early part of the 20th century.
While few fans even realized that Cox was given the heave-ho on Tuesday, he got his money's worth in an argument with first-base umpire Angel Hernandez, who called the balk on Hudson when he threw over with speedy Rajai Davis on base in the third inning.
Hudson glared at Hernandez after the call was made, and Cox quickly waddled out of the Braves dugout. The crowd chanted ``Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!'' while he waved his arms and loudly disputed the ruling with a few choice words. Everyone in the Braves dugout came out to the top step to see if the manager would get thrown out again.
At first, Cox appeared to have survived. He headed back to the dugout, muttering all the way, while Hernandez stared toward the plate. But, when Cox stopped on the top step, turned back toward Hernandez and yelled something, the ump quickly threw him out.
That, of course, brought Cox back out to resume an argument he had no chance of winning. He yelled some more while Hernandez stood stoically in front of him, then finally headed for the clubhouse.
The fans chanted Cox's name again and gave him a standing ovation before he disappeared down the tunnel.
It was the 11th time in Cox's career that he's been ejected on back-to-back nights, and the fifth time that Hernandez has tossed the Braves manager.
Cox wasn't the only person getting an early shower. San Francisco first baseman Ryan Klesko and manager Bruce Bocky were tossed by plate umpire Mark Carlson.
Klesko went in the fourth for disputing a called third strike. After Bochy picked up the argument, Klesko stormed out of the dugout and tried to get at the ump.
The first baseman was held back by coaches Tim Flannery and Ron Wotus, who struggled to keep the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Klesko away from Carlson. Finally, teammate Barry Bonds came out and dragged Klesko down into the dugout.
Bochy wasn't ejected during that brouhaha, but he got tossed the next inning for more griping about the strike zone.
(Copyright 2007 by the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Wednesday
September 11th, 2024
3:20AM
