MLB Umpire Phil Cuzzi throws out Houston Astros bench coach Alex Cintrón during an altercation. Photo via Getty Images
Fans and observers often forget that umpires in Major League Baseball are, in fact, humans too. This is usually realized when an umpire makes a mistake calling a pitch. However, it also comes to fruition during confrontations, and that was the case last night.
During a matchup between the Astros and the Orioles in Houston, umpire Phil Cuzzi chewed out the Astros bench. This would end up becoming an entertaining shouting match. The exchange between Cuzzi and Alex Cintrón, Astros Bench Coach, was picked up by hot mics. The folly came after Cuzzi struck out an Astros batter on a called third strike which Cintrón did not agree with.
Cuzzi heard Cintrón barking from the dugout, to which he had enough. Cuzzi turned to the Astros bench with José Abreu at the plate, yelling “I’m not going to f***ing listen to you.” Cintrón fired back with a similar but simpler response, to which Cuzzi became outraged.
The Astros would end up losing the game to the surging Orioles, by a score of 9-5. The Baby Birds are well on their way to securing the AL East division title, while the Astros are fighting to win their division. They currently lead the AL West by only half a game, with the Mariners and Rangers right on their coattails.
The race for the playoffs has certainly gotten fiery within the last month. That fire is only expected to burn harder as the month goes on.
