New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was ejected from a game in Tampa after arguing a called third strike [1].
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between players and officials regarding strike zone consistency, which often leads to disciplinary action and public disputes.
The ejection occurred during the seventh inning [1] on April 17, 2025 [1], at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida [1], [2]. Chisholm disputed a call made by umpire John Bacon, leading to his removal from the game [1], [2].
Shortly after leaving the field, Chisholm took to social media to criticize the officiating. He posted a profanity-laden message stating the pitch was "not even f—king close!" [3]. Chisholm later deleted the post, but not before expressing his frustration with the strike zone [2].
"I’m not happy with the strike zone tonight. That pitch was nowhere near a strike," Chisholm said [1]. He further suggested that umpire John Bacon needs to get his eyes checked [2].
Manager Aaron Boone was present during the game, though the ejection focused on Chisholm's reaction to the specific call [1]. Despite the conflict, the Yankees secured a 6-3 victory [2].
Chisholm believed the umpire was getting in the way of fair play and that the strike zone was incorrect [2], [3]. While some reports mentioned other officials, the primary accounts identify Bacon as the umpire responsible for the ejection [1], [2].
“"Not even f—king close!"”
This incident underscores the volatility of player-umpire relations in Major League Baseball. By taking his grievances to social media immediately after an ejection, Chisholm bypassed traditional team communication channels, potentially risking league fines for public criticism of officials.
