Fire Joe West trends after umpire calls security to eject Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo
The MLB has been pretty stringent about the safety protocols in order to limit the spread of coronavirus. One of them was the use of masks that would do its bit in minimizing the spread of the infection. The rule was simple, everyone except those in the park is supposed to wear a mask. Except, umpire Joe West's action move made headlines when he took the step of ejecting Nationals GM, Mike Rizzo, during the Nationals vs Braves encounter on Sunday.
According to CBS Sports, reports say Rizzo was on the third deck and the site also added West had ejected someone for yelling at him. While it also adds it was unclear as to what started the ejection, West was seen repeatedly telling him to "get out". You can watch the video here.
The victim here was Nats GM Mike Rizzo, alone in a suite. Yes, he should keep his mask on. Then again, so should West, and he didn’t - on the field.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) September 6, 2020
This has been true since 1977, of course, but still needs to be emphasized: it’s time to FIRE JOE WEST. https://t.co/5SSygIfVAN
"He's by himself. Totally fine for him not to wear a mask in that situation. Maybe Joe should concentrate on the game," read one of the tweets.
He's by himself. Totally fine for him not to wear a mask in that situation. Maybe Joe should concentrate on the game.
— West Coast Hockey Bias (@MarcelAndRogie) September 6, 2020
One fan had a different theory. "He wasn’t thrown out for not wearing a mask. He was thrown out for continuing to argue balls and strikes w/umpires. They only brought up 'the guy w/out the mask' bc they were identifying him for security. Players, coaches, team officials are not allowed to argue judgment calls"
He wasn’t thrown out for not wearing a mask. He was thrown out for continuing to argue balls and strikes w/umpires. They only brought up “the guy w/out the mask” bc they were identifying him for security. Players, coaches, team officials are not allowed to argue judgement calls
— CoachTimCole (@CoachTimCole) September 6, 2020
West garnered enough flak for the move. "Worst umpire in my memory. Umpire union must be really strong."
Worst umpire in my memory. Umpire union must be really strong.
— Hugh Roberts (@hughmwm) September 6, 2020
"The next time I see Joe West trending, it better be because he was fired. @MLB #MLB #FireJoeWest," a tweet read.
The next time I see Joe West trending, it better be because he was fired. @MLB #MLB #FireJoeWest
— ⚜️⚜️ Amy NC Dinos Fan (@amysrich) September 6, 2020
"Joe West should have been fired after Ozzie Guillen's profanity-laced tirade that blasted the umpire nicknamed 'Cowboy'. He's an embarassment to the profession of being an umpire and constantly tries to somehow get the spotlight on himself, not the game! #FireJoeWest," read one of the comments.
Joe West should have been fired after Ozzie Guillen's profanity-laced tirade that blasted the umpire nicknamed "Cowboy". He's an embarassment to the profession of being an umpire and constantly tries to somehow get the spotlight on himself, not the game! #FireJoeWest
— Jared B (@LesleyPro_04) September 6, 2020
"Joe West needs to go. He should have been gone a long time ago. Always making the game about him whenever he is on the field. Can't stand him," a fan wrote.
Joe West needs to go. He should have been gone a long time ago. Always making the game about him whenever he is on the field. Can't stand him.
— Jim Maclaughlin (@sicar15) September 6, 2020
Some of the fans were more keen on a clarification on why Rizzo was ejected and attributed it to the Nationals GM's "Incessant chirping". But that said, the decision was made and West didn't seem to win any fans on Sunday.