Astros' Jose Altuve Ejected vs. Padres for Taking Off His Sock and Shoe
Key Points
- Astros' Jose Altuve was thrown out of a game against the Padres on Wednesday.
- The ejection came after Altuve took off his sock and shoe to check for a blister.
- Umpire Bill Miller ejected Altuve for violating rule 6.01(a)(12), which prohibits players from "removing their glove or shoe or clothing on the playing field."
What Happened
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Altuve grounded out to Padres shortstop Ha-seong Kim. As he was running to first base, Altuve appeared to be in discomfort.
After reaching first, Altuve took off his sock and shoe to check for a blister. Umpire Bill Miller then ejected Altuve for violating rule 6.01(a)(12), which prohibits players from "removing their glove or shoe or clothing on the playing field."
Astros' Manager Dusty Baker Criticizes Ejection
Astros' manager Dusty Baker criticized the ejection, saying that Altuve was not trying to gain an unfair advantage by checking for a blister.
"He was just trying to see if he had a blister," Baker said. "I don't think he was trying to do anything to get an advantage. I think it was just a natural reaction."
Rule 6.01(a)(12)
Rule 6.01(a)(12) states that "no player shall remove his glove or shoe or clothing on the playing field." The rule is in place to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by removing their equipment.
For example, a player could remove his glove to get a better grip on the bat, or he could remove his shoe to get a better footing on the mound.
Conclusion
Altuve's ejection was a controversial one. While he did violate rule 6.01(a)(12), it is unclear whether he was trying to gain an unfair advantage. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to eject Altuve was up to the umpire, and Miller decided that Altuve had violated the rule.
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