John Lackey's return from the DL

[splitterpfj]

Lackey made his season debut for the Angels today, in Texas.

 

His first pitch went behind Ian Kinsler, his second pitch hit Kinsler in the ribs...at that point, Lackey was ejected.

 

After six weeks of waiting...two pitches and gone...that has to be a first.

[PeaveyFury]

Video:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090516&content_id=4770810&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Bikeage77]

I highly doubt that was intentional. I would have to believe Lackey was excited to get back in there after being out 6 weeks and with that his control was gone. If the intent was to bean someone, they'd either wait, or bring in a bullpen guy to start the game.

 

The only other idea is that the Angels felt the umps would give him the benefit of the doubt (based off of reasons above), and not eject him, allowing Lackey to set the tone. Then they called his bluff and tossed him.

[pogokat]

There's no reason on earth for him to do that intentionally..

 

although, it was pretty cool...

[homer]

I love how Kinsler just stood there on the first one. He did the same thing against the ChiSox the other day when Bobby Jenks threw at him.

[DHonks]

Wasn't Sid Roberson ejected for the Brewers against his first big league batter (also in Texas, I think)? I think the awkward part was he hit the guy in the toe

[Invader3K]

I have Lackey on my fantasy team, too. Disappointing debut to say the least.

[Ennder]

It could be intentional, there is a lot of bad blood between those two teams.

[Dmiles23]

I heard on BBTN or someplace that this was the 3rd fastest ejection in baseball history. I don't remember the names, but they said one guy was tossed after he hit someone on the first pitch. And the other guy got ejected before he threw a pitch for arguing with the ump because the ump thought his sleeves were too long.

[Bikeage77]

Didn't Dock Ellis actually get taken out by the manager, not ejected after going 4 for 5 drilling the Big Red Machine?

[Schlitz001]

On July 17, 1960 Don Newcombe was ejected before the start of the game for arguing with the umpire over the length of his shirt sleeves. He didn't even throw a pitch. Now that's funny. LINK

[rluzinski]

I can't imagine that was intentional.