In a heated moment that lit up Great American Ball Park, New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was ejected between innings during a 4-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on June 24, 2025, after arguing a controversial strike call. The fiery All-Star, visibly incensed by a questionable call in the ninth inning, continued his protests into the dugout and onto the field, prompting manager Aaron Boone to physically restrain him before umpire Mark Wegner tossed him from the game.
The Call That Ignited the Fire
The incident unfolded in the top of the ninth inning with the score tied at 3-3. Chisholm, batting fifth, faced Reds reliever Lyon Richardson in a critical at-bat. On a 2-0 pitch, a low-and-inside changeup was called a strike by home plate umpire Mark Wegner, shifting the count to 2-1. Chisholm, believing the pitch was well outside the zone, expressed his frustration during the at-bat. He ultimately struck out swinging, but his anger boiled over as he stomped around the dugout, tossing his batting gloves and shouting at Wegner. As the Yankees took the field for the bottom of the ninth, Chisholm continued gesturing and yelling, leading to his ejection. Manager Aaron Boone intervened, holding Chisholm back to prevent further escalation, while teammate Jasson Domínguez guided him toward the clubhouse.
“I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit,” Chisholm said postgame, addressing the call. “That one wasn’t even close, and it changed the whole at-bat. I’m a competitor, so I’m going to get fired up.” His frustration was palpable, echoing a similar incident earlier in the season when he was ejected and suspended for arguing a strike call against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Chisholm’s Season of Highs and Lows
Chisholm, acquired from the Miami Marlins in 2024, has been a polarizing figure for the Yankees in 2025. The 27-year-old former All-Star, known for his electrifying speed and power, has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. Through 78 games, he’s hitting .242 with 12 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and a .710 OPS, a step back from his standout 2024 postseason performance. His 69.4% in-zone contact rate ranks among the lowest in MLB, reflecting his ongoing battle with strikeouts.
Despite these challenges, Chisholm’s flair and energy make him a fan favorite. His recent baserunning heroics, including a memorable shoeless slide against the Baltimore Orioles on June 23, showcased his hustle and athleticism. “That’s how I grew up playing baseball,” Chisholm said after that game. “I don’t feel like it’s no need to change.” His passion, however, has led to multiple run-ins with umpires, including a one-game suspension in April for violating MLB’s social media policy after an ejection against the Rays. That suspension was later dropped, but Chisholm’s latest outburst could invite further scrutiny.
The strike call on Chisholm sparked debate, with replays suggesting the pitch was indeed low. Fans on X were quick to weigh in, with one user posting, “Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been ejected. Wasn’t happy with a called strike in the top of the ninth and then kept arguing it out on the field before the bottom of the ninth.” Another wrote, “Ump having an absolutely embarrassing performance. Terrible calls all night on both teams.” The incident reignited discussions about umpiring consistency, with some calling for automated strike zones. “I’ve been watching MLB Big Inning every day this season, and umps across the league are down right atrocious,” one Reddit user commented.
Chisholm’s ejection marked his sixth career toss and second of 2025, following his April incident. His history of clashing with umpires, including a deleted X post in April that read, “Not even f—ing close!!!!!” after a similar call, suggests a pattern of fiery responses to perceived injustices. While Chisholm owned up to that earlier incident, saying, “I lost my emotions. I got to be better than that,” his latest outburst indicates the lesson is still sinking in.
The loss to the Reds was a setback for a Yankees team battling for the AL East lead. With the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays close behind, every game matters. Chisholm’s ejection, while not the sole reason for the defeat, disrupted a critical moment in a tie game. His absence in the ninth forced the Yankees to rely on Peraza and LeMahieu, who couldn’t spark a comeback. The defeat highlighted New York’s inconsistent offense, with stars like Aaron Judge (1-for-7 in recent games) struggling to deliver.
Chisholm’s versatility—playing both second and third base this season—remains a bright spot. His willingness to switch positions, as he noted in May, reflects his team-first mentality: “I’m a team guy. I’m here to win a ring. I’m not here to fight over positions.” Yet, his emotional outbursts risk suspensions that could hurt the Yankees’ postseason push. MLB may review the incident for potential discipline, given Chisholm’s prior social media violation.