Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez doesn't often lose his cool, so when he does, it makes news.
On Sunday, Rodriguez was ejected for the first time in five years (the last time was the infamous brawl against the Red Sox on July 24, 2004, when he fought with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek). Home plate umpire Marty Foster ejected Rodriguez in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes. Rodriguez struck out looking in the fourth inning.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi came to Rodriguez's defense and also was ejected, his fourth ejection of the season. Rodriguez claims that Foster did not warn him before tossing him and that the umpire abused his power by throwing Rodriguez out.
The ejection had no appreciable effect on the outcome of the game as the Yankees rolled to a 13-3 win over the visiting Orioles, salvaging the final tilt of their three-game series. Former member of the Red Sox Eric Hinske replaced Rodriguez in the lineup.
While Rodriguez's years as a Yankee have not been without controversy, it has rarely been due to his dealings with umpires. The third baseman called Foster's conduct on Sunday "unprofessional." Since his ejection, Rodriguez has gone 1-for-7 with no RBIs and a run scored.