In Milwaukee, a heated moment unfolded on the baseball diamond as Warren Schaeffer sprang to the defense of one of his key players. Schaeffer, serving as the interim manager for Colorado, passionately stood up for outfielder Tyler Freeman who found himself ejected from the game during the third inning.
Schaeffer’s animated protest was a spectacle to behold. He rushed from the dugout, visibly expressing his displeasure by removing something from his mouth and flinging it to the ground, followed by his hat, which was also thrown with great force. This animated display of frustration led to plate umpire Ramon De Jesus giving Schaeffer his marching orders as well.
Reflecting on the ejection, Schaeffer stated, “I like Ramon, but that was way too quick to get rid of Freeman. Way too quick,” emphasizing that losing one of their top players so early in the game was unwarranted. Despite this, the Colorado Rockies showcased resilience, capturing a 4-3 victory over Milwaukee in a grueling 11-inning match.
A key moment in the game came courtesy of Orlando Arcia, who tied the game in the top of the ninth inning with a crucial two-out solo home run. Freeman’s earlier confrontation with De Jesus stemmed from a called third strike in which Freeman appeared to voice his displeasure, resulting in his ejection.
Determined to defend his player, Schaeffer continued his protest by kneeling in the batter’s box and gesturing to demonstrate his belief that the pitch was below the strike zone. This act of standing by his team resonated with his players.
“He has our backs, more than anything. It fired me up to see that, in a good way,” Freeman remarked afterward. The team was invigorated by their manager’s display of loyalty, enabling them to keep fighting until they clinched the win. Such tenacity mirrors Schaeffer’s commitment to having their backs and persevering no matter the challenge.