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Joey Votto could be suspended for bumping umpire (Video)

By Connor Muldowney

May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) questions a called third strike with home plate umpire Sean Barber (29) during the game against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Reds 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) questions a called third strike with home plate umpire Sean Barber (29) during the game against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Reds 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Reds’ slugger Joey Votto had quite the outburst last night as he charged and bumped into an umpire after being tossed from the game.

Arguing balls and strikes is the norm for MLB players, but when you strike out and give some attitude, there’s absolutely no excuse. Cincinnati Reds‘ slugger Joey Votto now finds himself in hot water after a swinging strikeout in Wednesday night’s game led to a verbal altercation and eventual ejection from the umpire.

Votto, one of the best hitters in the game and a usually-calm superstar, struck out swinging in the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he didn’t stop there as he slammed his helmet to the ground and tossed his bat toward his own dugout.

The home plate umpire, Chris Conroy, took this personally, for some reason, and tossed the first baseman and Votto didn’t realize it until he took the field.

The 31-year-old slugger rushed to the umpire, got in his face and gave him a bump while being restrained by his manager prior to the start of the bottom of the inning.

While the bump wasn’t egregious, by any means, it’s still physical contact with the umpire, something that is extremely frowned upon in baseball — as with all sports. Votto could see a suspension and hefty fine for this.

The 162-game season is so long that a suspension for a couple of games in baseball is basically nothing like it is in football or even basketball. The Reds aren’t having the greatest start to the season as it is, just 14-13 and six game out of first place, but this won’t help them make up any ground in the NL Central.

Cincinnati may be off to a pedestrian start this season, but Votto has been absolutely red-hot, hitting .323 with seven home runs and 17 RBI through the first month-plus of the season. This possible suspension could potentially derail his momentum and force him to cool down in the upcoming months — something be brought upon himself.

There’s likely no doubt he will be suspended because any contact with an umpire is a suspendable offense and the league will likely make a statement by giving him five games, or so.

Like I said, in the grand scheme of things, five games is nothing, but for Votto’s hot-streak, it could be all but over as he will be ice cold coming off the bench in a week.

Tempers have been flaring all around baseball this season, just ask the Royals.

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