A tense Memorial Day showdown between the league-leading Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants took an unexpected turn when a controversial strike call led to Javy Báez’s ejection and ignited a fiery scene at Comerica Park.
The incident occurred in the fifth inning of the Tigers’ 3–1 victory on Sunday, though the final score quickly became secondary to the unfolding drama. The tension peaked when Báez was called out on a full-count curveball from Giants rookie Hayden Birdsong—a pitch that replays clearly showed missed the strike zone low and outside. Despite that, home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi saw it differently and called strike three, prompting a heated reaction from Báez.
The Reaction Was Immediate And Intense
Known for his intensity and competitive spirit, Báez initially walked away from the plate but couldn’t keep his frustration in check. From the dugout steps, he shouted back at Cuzzi, clearly upset over what he saw as a critical missed call. Cuzzi wasted no time—he tossed Báez immediately.
That’s when the situation erupted.
Báez charged out of the dugout, yelling at the umpire as chaos ensued. Third base coach Joey Cora and designated hitter Gleyber Torres had to physically restrain him, while manager A.J. Hinch rushed onto the field to stand up for his star player. The heated confrontation quickly became one of the most memorable—and dramatic—moments of the game.
Baez Isn’t Backing Down Despite The Eruption
After the game, Báez didn’t back down from his anger—instead, he doubled down, offering fans a candid look at what triggered his emotional response.
“It wasn’t just the call—it was how he treated me,” Báez said, via Andrew Graham of The Detroit News. “I’m not an animal. We can have a conversation, we can argue. That’s part of the game. But if he had just said, ‘Yeah, I missed it,’ I would’ve said, ‘OK,’ and gone back out to center field. We’re competitors. I know he’s not perfect. But don’t treat me like that.”
Báez explained that what set him off wasn’t just the questionable strike call, but the lack of respect he felt from umpire Phil Cuzzi during the exchange—especially given how significant the at-bat was and how much effort he had put into adjusting at the plate.
“That’s why I got so mad—because you don’t have to toss me just for questioning the zone,” Báez said. “I didn’t even come close to swinging at that pitch. It wasn’t just about the call—it was about the competition. I made my adjustment, I felt like I won the battle, and then he took it away.”
Despite the ejection, the Tigers didn’t lose their edge. They held on for a 3–1 win, powered by sharp pitching and clutch defense in a game defined as much by grit as by controversy.
Báez, now 32, has never been one to hide his emotions—especially when he believes the game isn’t being called with fairness. Sunday was another example of his fiery nature, and it likely won’t be the last.
