BOSTON -- Jim Palmer, the Hall of Fame pitcher and Baltimore Orioles TV broadcaster, did not accompany the team here for its weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, but that didn’t prevent Palmer from aiming some darts at Red Sox DH David Ortiz via Twitter."I was watching from the comfort of my sofa in Palm Beach," Palmer wrote in an e-mail Monday, responding to an inquiry about a series of tweets he posted Sunday after Ortiz was ejected from that afternoon’s game in the fifth inning.
“How long would a pitcher last on the mound if he had the same histrionics as Ortiz had yesterday? I'm not his judge and jury. I was tweeting about his conduct yesterday, which, in my opinion, is indefensible."Ortiz left the clubhouse Sunday before reporters were allowed to enter.
FINALLY Ortiz gets tossed #disrespectful #zipitOrtiz @Orioles @masnOrioles
— Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) April 19, 2015
Ortiz was tossed after third-base umpire (and crew chief) Jerry Meals ruled he had been unable to check his swing on a pitch from Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez on a 1-and-1 count. Ortiz dropped his bat and raised his arms, barking at Meals, who barked back, and moments later plate umpire John Tumpane tossed Ortiz, prompting an additional outburst.Meals had called another borderline pitch a strike in the first inning that drew Ortiz’s ire, though he subsequently walked on the next pitch.Palmer, back on his sofa, was not impressed by Ortiz’s actions, and in a series of tweets let his feelings be known, most pointedly this one:“Who needs a home plate umpire when David's at the plate?" Palmer wrote in his e-mail Monday. “He's always complaining about close pitches. What I found objectionable was that the Red Sox are playing an important series -- game tied, fifth inning -- and his actions get him tossed.“This game is about winning. What did he do yesterday to help the Sox win? Was there any redeeming or positive outcome from his actions? Only for the Orioles. “How long would a pitcher last on the mound if he had the same histrionics as Ortiz had yesterday? I'm not his judge and jury. I was tweeting about his conduct yesterday, which, in my opinion, is indefensible."Ortiz left the clubhouse Sunday before reporters were allowed to enter.
Gordon Edes/ ESPNBoston.com
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