On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 8-3. 2012 AL Cy Young winner David Price started for the Rays and picked up his first win of the season, allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings, walking out two and striking out nine.
But after Price left the game following the seventh inning, Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson was ejected by home plate umpire Tom Hallion. Hellickson, who was on the bench, reportedly yelled at Hallion to provoke the ejection.
That's not the story Price is going with, though. After the game, the Rays' ace took to Twitter and lambasted Hallion.
Had my back after what everyone in dugout heard what the ump said…RT @rsieber6: @davidprice14 what did @jhell58 do to be ejected?
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
Someone give me the definition of a coward please
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
Right and the most quiet guy in #mlb got ejected from the game RT @looneybird14999: @davidprice14 Ump says you lied to reporters…
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
Someone please give me the definition of accountability…
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
1. I am not a liar 2. I would not make that stuff up 3. My own dad doesn't speak to me that way 4. Again I am not a liar #accountability
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
Think our entire dugout would ERUPT cause an ump told me to throw the ball over the plate? No, I'm sorry that wouldnt happen #accountability
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
And then to be called a LIAR about the entire thing??No chance…#accountability
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013
Now, what spurned this rampage from Price? Well, according to Hallion, it was an innocent comment. Of course, an umpire would *never* try to become the focus of the game!
Umpire Tom Hallion, to pool reporter, on #Rays @davidprice14's laim he cursed him: "I'll come right out bluntly and say he's a liar,'
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013
Umpire Hallion admits #Rays Price didn't say anything to him but "certainly gave enough body language to insinuate that he was pissed off.''
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013
Umpire Hallion said he made a less offensive comment to Price:"I said, "Just throw the ball." That's all I said to him'
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013
Told of Hallion's reaction, #Rays Price stuck to his story, said Hallion was lying and to ask anyone. Several Rays confirmed Price's story
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013
Umpire Hallion on ejecting#Rays Hellickson: "He was told to knock it off, him and Morse (Moore) were at the dugout rail and I told (cont)
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013
More from Hallion: "… them to knock it off, and he thought it was okay for him to have his final comment, at which time he was ejected.''
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013
And finally, Hellickson and Matt Moore took to Twitter to defend their teammate.
There's only one person lying about all this and his name starts with a T and rhymes with pom
— Jeremy Hellickson(@JHell58) April 28, 2013
Lies! lies i tell you! RT @tbtimes_rays: Umpire Hallion said to Price:"I said, "Just throw the ball." That's all I said to him'
— Matt Moore(@MattyMoe55) April 28, 2013
Matters.callthegameRT @tbtimes_rays: Umpire Hallion admits price "certainly gave enough body language to insinuate that he was pissed off.''
— Matt Moore(@MattyMoe55) April 28, 2013
Unbelievable someone would mis remember so quickly. Stay in your lane. Nobody cares what you have to say. #tom
— Matt Moore(@MattyMoe55) April 28, 2013
Ladies and gentlemen, I have a feeling this isn't going to end well for anyone involved, from Hallion, to Price, to Hellickson, to Moore.
