Angel Hernandez ejects Steve McMichael?

by Rev Gunia on Dec 15, 2008 5:17 PM CST

OK, as I procrastinate at work, I found this on Wikipedia (which is never wrong) about umpire Angel Hernandez:

Hernández has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents with players and even fans. On August 7, 2001, he ejected a guest singer of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field. The ejectee was former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael, who had taken a shot at Hernandez' umpiring after being introduced as the guest singer.

My curiosity is piqued. What the heck happened here? Does anybody recall this incident? Would you be willing to fill in the details of this curious event?

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Yeah, I remember this.

What you describe is exactly what happened. McMichael made some sort of PA announcement before he sang, and Hernandez sent word out that McMichael was to be ejected. Umpires do have the right to do this — they can toss anyone in the ballpark, not just players and managers.

Hernandez, to my recollection, was doing a crappy job that day. McMichael had a point. The Cubs won the game 5-4 on a walkoff single by Joe Girardi in the last of the 9th.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 15, 2008 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Angel Hernandez always does a crappy job

against the Cubs. Seems like every time he’s part of the crew, he finds a way to make a call go against the Cubs.

The ejection of McMichael (I was watching on tv that day) was the ultimate example of an ump who goes way over the line. How thin-skinned do you have to be to go to that point after one comment? Ridiculous.

by ScottT on Dec 15, 2008 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

Think Mongo said

he was going to have a talk with the home plate umpire. That after finishing up in singing the stretch. Hernandez stared with daggers coming out his eyes at the WGN radio booth where Mongo was at the time.

I remember on a couple occasions, Angel making a pretty bad call against the Cubs, ala 9/2/72.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 15, 2008 9:14 PM CST up reply actions

Unforgettable moment

I can still see Hernandez staring up at the booth and trying to look all “bad ass” at McMichael-only at Wrigley Field!!

by bluekoolaide on Dec 17, 2008 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

i was at this game

mcmiachael made a comment saying he will have to take care of this umpire after the game and then hernandez turns around and points up towards mcmichael and gives him the " ur outta here!!" it was pretty much the funniest thing ive seen at a game lol

by cubbiepride on Dec 15, 2008 5:32 PM CST reply actions

I had never heard this story before

but this is a classic!! haha Lave it to good ol’ Angel Hernandez.

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Dec 15, 2008 5:41 PM CST reply actions

If I recall correctly...

Mongo said (slurred might be a better word) “Don’t worry, I’m gonna have some speaks with that umpire”. I remember the camera then flashing to Angel standing out on the field with his hands on his hips, shooting an absolute death stare up at the booth.
After the break Chip began the normal conversation with the guest conductor and was surprised to announce that security was in the booth and that Mongo had indeed been kicked out. An awkwardly hilarious moment all around.

by shoemile on Dec 15, 2008 5:59 PM CST reply actions

Correct.

The best was “speaks”………..Mongo was gassed.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 15, 2008 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Thank you

“I’ll have some speaks with that umpire”

McMichael was a moron then. He was a moron when he played. He’s probably a moron now and has surely spawned eight or nine morons with at least three different female morons.

Future teachers of America should kick in to support McMichael’s vasectomy.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Dec 15, 2008 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

That moron sure

knew how to get between the center and guards a few times…

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 15, 2008 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

But Worf is right...

I met McMichael before- a nice enough guy but not exactly a mental giant.

by bluekoolaide on Dec 17, 2008 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

You're being kind. He's a moron.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 17, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Yep, that's exactly how I remember it.

What’s weird for me personally is I didn’t follow the Cubs as closely back then and didn’t watch many games. But I saw that one and I’ve never forgotten that incident.

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by daver on Dec 16, 2008 9:40 AM CST up reply actions

Turns out this is on Youtube...

Yeah, he said, “Don’t worry, I’ll have some speaks with that home plate umpire after the game.” Beer in hand. Classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIhv8p4O5WM

by Short4Fanatic on Dec 16, 2008 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

Awesome.

I’d forgotten that he actually spit into the crowd, too. Way to go, Mongo.

by daver on Dec 16, 2008 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

I think that's Mongo's signature move

by Short4Fanatic on Dec 16, 2008 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

On a somewhat related note...

I recall seeing a B&W photo from Life or Look or some similar publication from yesteryear of an elderly woman who had walked onto the field during a game to offer the umpire her glasses. She was promptly ejected. Anyone else remember this shot?

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush! So what do you want?"
"What, so my choice is 'or death?' Well, then I'll have the chicken, please."
--Eddie Izzard

by znohitter on Dec 15, 2008 7:25 PM CST reply actions

Anyone else remember this shot?

LOL!! …I don’t know, but if anyone has this photo, I would love to see it. That would be just way too classic.

by chrisw95 on Dec 15, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions

Wasn't something along the lines of

Hey ump! Ill talk to YOU after the game?

The camera was on Hernandez who had a pissed off look on his face and had his hands on his hips.

by EJThunder on Dec 15, 2008 11:04 PM CST reply actions

Wow, I need to read more closely.... nevermind.

by EJThunder on Dec 15, 2008 11:04 PM CST up reply actions

That was a great game!!

The fans were pissed b/c Hernandez just blew a call at the plate that would have tied the game. The Cubs won it in the ninth on a ridiculous run down. Guitierrez slipped rounding third and the ball was tossed around the diamond until Guitierrez beat the play at the plate.

by EamusCatuli23 on Dec 16, 2008 1:21 AM CST reply actions

Pat and Ron's call from that game is absolutely classic

Between Pat trying to frantically explain the rundown over Ron’s hysterics, it sounded like a murderer had entered the radio booth

For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint.

by Less is Walrond on Dec 16, 2008 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

What a scream!!!

Ol’ Mongo had a pretty good buzz on while conducting the stretch. Ricky “Don’t lose that Lumber” Gutierrez scored the winning run. His travels to the plate resembled hopscotch, a tire drill, and polka dancing.

Ya ain't lived til you've heard "Colour My World" played on an accordian.

by Da Alderman on Dec 18, 2008 8:03 AM CST reply actions