Trembley channels Earl Weaver
We were waiting for that.
No, not the Orioles watching another early lead disappear.
Not Adam Eaton getting tagged with another L.
Not Nick Markakis picking up two more hits and two more runs.
And not an umpire costing the Orioles a win.
I'm talking about manager Dave Trembley getting tossed from the game.
Trembley was sent to the clubhouse early last night after arguing what sure seemed like a questionable balk call from home plate umpire Angel Hernandez. In the seventh inning of last night's loss to the Angels, it looked like Jamie Walker had successfully picked off Maicer Izturis. It should've been the second out of the inning. Instead, Trembley got tossed arguing the call, and the Angels added two more runs, giving them a comfy 3-run lead.
It was the first ejection of the year for Trembley, and his first since last August. It was the right call to argue, and doing so endears Trembley with both fans in the stands and the players in his clubhouse. More on that in a second.
I'm not sure what more there is to say about the play -- I didn't see a balk, and I don't think the call should've been made from behind the plate -- and I definitely don't think I have anything to say that's better than what Jamie Walker offered. Here's his edited comments (I've taken the liberty of making them family-friendly):
"No way in (heck) did I balk on that pitch,'' he said. "That was a (woefully misguided and disagreeable) call. I don't know if the guy has a problem with me or what, but it was a (fundamentally flawed) call...I don't know if he had money betting on the game, but that was (un unpleasant and unfortunate) call."
Jamie doesn't have to be worried about being on MLB's unsuspended list. I'm sure the commissioner's office will be correcting that shortly.
But back to Trembley...
I'm not sure there's a city in baseball that likes watching its manager argue as much as Baltimore. When Hernandez tossed Trembley from the game, the fans gave their manager a standing ovation as he walked off the field. I held my breath for a couple of seconds to see if a bag of balls or bouquet of bats might come flying out of the dugout, but Trembley disappeared quietly into the clubhouse. (It's only his second full season; give him time.)
Of course, it all goes back Earl Weaver, and I couldn't help last night but think of one of my favorite Toy Department posts. You can check it out by clicking right here, but I'll also share the abridged version.
My colleague Mike Klingaman asked Earl to share his favorite ways to explain to an umpire that they disagreed on an issue. From Kling's post:
1. Tearing up the rule book under the umpire's nose.
"I did that in Cleveland after getting thrown out of a game."
2. Ripping third base off its moorings and hurling it off the field.
"If (the umpire) couldn’t tell fair from foul, why keep the base?
3. Scuffing dirt onto home plate.
"He wasn’t using it anyway."
4. Wearing his baseball cap backward.
"I really did that so umpires couldn’t say I bumped them with the bill of my hat (during arguments)."
Photo: Kenneth K. Lam / Sun
Comments
One of the most indelible images of the O's glory days is that of Earl with his cap turned around, getting in the ump's face.
Also, I think Earl actually climbed up on the mound and showed the ump what a balk actually looks like during a prime time game, while Dennis Martinez looked on in amazement.
Posted by: BigBill | April 29, 2009 9:00 AM
How about when Earl chased an umpire all the way into right field from the 3rd base dugout after a blown call. The Ump walked briskly in that direction after the call and Earl caught him right before the warning track. Earl versus Ken Keyser was always a great match up!
Posted by: Brian Wilson | April 29, 2009 9:40 AM
Actually, I don't think Tremblay got mad enough...that was one of the best examples of a pick-off that I've ever seen-it was textbook. No way was it a balk, and anyway, that's the first base umpire's call-Hernandez was making himself bigger than the game, and that's just wrong.
Posted by: John Z | April 29, 2009 10:17 AM
Whoever says DT doesn't have enough passion is ludicrous.
He TOSSED OUT AN UMP last season!! Gave him the toss signal! Are you kidding? It got him suspended! It was glorious! Give me a break.
DT is awesome.
Posted by: dan the man | April 29, 2009 10:27 AM
I particularly loved Trembley beating his chest just prior to the dumping. I would love to know what was being said.
Posted by: Todd P | April 29, 2009 11:45 AM
What really ticked me off was the fact that the ump standing closest to the play wouldn't open his month and say a word. No guts. And Jaime will be fined/suspended for speaking his mind about a bogus call (what about free speech?). Just reinforces to me that baseball is now just a big joke, unless you're the Red Sux or Stankees.
Posted by: Diane | April 29, 2009 11:54 AM
One reason why the Orioles were so successful is that the fiery temprament of Earl Weaver made losing unacceptable. The tirades that got Earl tossed by the umps also helped the O's get more of the close calls that might have gone against them because the umps would have it in the back of their minds that Earl would launch from the dugout and be in their faces, and that the umps better have the call right. Earl would put it on the line for the team, and he expected the players do the same.
And I do not believe that it is an accident that the Orioles were not consistent winners before or after Earl Weaver.
If Trembley wants to win like Earl Weaver, then he should do more of the things that made Weaver successful, including getting in the ump's faces on a regular basis.
I like to see Trembly smile, but Earl Weaver had a frown or a scowl.
Posted by: Grumpy Old Man | April 29, 2009 11:58 AM
Earl got tossed BEFORE a game even started. He said something while exchanging line-up cards and out he went. Classic "Earl of Baltimore!"
Posted by: mike | April 29, 2009 3:38 PM
"How was that Honey?"
"MId season form, Dave."
Posted by: rick | April 29, 2009 3:48 PM
One of my favorite Earl Weaver moments happened in a game against the Twins in 1977. Lyman Bostock was hitting and the umpire ruled that tight pitch was a foul although Bostock claimed it hit him. He and Gene Mauch argued with the umpire for at least 2-3 minutes while the Oriole fans had fun booing them. Then, out of nowhere, they talked the umpire into awarding him first base.
You should have seen Earl shoot out of the dugout on that one. He started kicking dirt like a punter around home plate, completed about five circles, and was immediately thrown out. Then, he took off his cap and heaved it into short centerfield from in front of the plate. I had never seen anyone throw a baseball cap so far. Then, he walked out to centerfield, stood behind the cap, crossed his arms and just stared at the umpire for another 2 minutes. The crowd went crazy. After that, he picked up his cap and walked off the field.
It will take awhile for Trembly to be compared to Earl.
Posted by: Mark Griffin the Mailbox Man | April 29, 2009 3:57 PM
don't forget the one game in cleveland in the 9th inning where earl got the umps to change their call and the orioles went on to win in extra innings. baltimore was blessed to have to have two of greaest earl's in sports. earl weaver and earl "the pearl" monroe. and also earl morrall had had a couple of great yrs playing for johnny u. and many people say in baltimore say "earl" when they are talking about "oil".
Posted by: FKTERP | April 29, 2009 8:05 PM
Rick-Not sure you will ever see this-but with all due respect to the colleagues you left behind-you brought brightness to the sports page. You will be missed.
Posted by: mdlrvrmuncher | April 29, 2009 9:21 PM
The picture captures the moment very well. I ordered a print. What's the best way to ask him to autograph it?
Posted by: Tom in Perry Hall | April 29, 2009 9:32 PM