Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba was playing in the Venezuelan League this Friday when he struck out at bat and then proceeded to argue with the home plate umpire. It’s still not clear what was said however Torrealba proceeded to hit the umpire in the face before storming off the field.
The argument goes on for a good 15-20 seconds before the smack to the umps mask is observed and it was hard enough to send him hurtling backwards before removing his mask.
In response to the incident the Rangers manager Jon Daniels says the organization is “looking into it” but “we haven’t got much info yet.”
According to the team possible disciplinary practices will depend on the “circumstances” that led to the shove.
Torrealba is currently in the second year of a $6.25 million contract with the Rangers but has watched his play time cut down drastically thanks to the red-hot Mike Napoli.
Here’s a video of the strike-out, argument and eventual shove to the face mask:
[iframe src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/g3QQIZa6-B4? width=”420? height=”315?]
I’m completely flabbergasted that an apology wasn’t forthcoming from the catcher given the severity of the hit to the umpires face mast.
Do you think major league baseball should take action gainst Yorvit Torrealba for his shove in the Venezuelan league?
