Josh Donaldson ejected for trashing ump on go-ahead home run (Video)

Josh Donaldson wasn’t thrilled with home plate umpire Dan Bellino

Donaldson and Bellino had been chirping all game, and the third baseman finally had enough of it. After hitting the go-ahead home run against the division rival White Sox in the top of the sixth inning, Donaldson wiped dirt all over home plate, and stepped on it several times in an act of pure defiance.

I can’t stress enough how awesome this is. Sure, umpires have a tough job, but Donaldson is warranted given his at-bats on Thursday afternoon.

I mean, what the hell is that? Bellino is among the most consistently controversial umpires in all of baseball, minus Angel Hernandez and Joe West. It was a matter of time before he got what was coming to him, which of course is more controversy. It never ends.

Donaldson upstaged the ump show, and Bellino was having none of it

While some umpires are consumed with their role on this diamond, thus taking over certain games, they don’t like when they’re greeted with a similar mindset. Donaldson had just given his team the lead in a large September contest with three innings remaining. Rather than take his angst to the locker room and air his grievances to the media like some players would do, Donaldson left his frustration on the field and hit the showers early.

It’s a bold decision, and one that could come back to haunt the Twins. For now, though, we have to respect it.