This week I don’t want to talk about wins, losses, pennant races, or the latest steroid revelation. What I want to talk about this week is ejections. Nothing is more exciting than seeing a manager fire out of the dugout like he had been fired out of a cannon. Several managers are particularly entertaining and one of them, Lou Piniella, should make the Hall of Fame just on the merits of his on-the-field tirades. Ejections are common in baseball and are always interesting to watch. Players get tossed from time to time but it is usually the managers who get sent to the showers early. Over the years, several skippers have perfected the art of getting thrown out of a game. A number of names come to mind but two stand out above all the rest: Earl Weaver and Lou Piniella.

Weaver was the undisputed leader in managerial theatrics. Mere dirt kicking and hat throwing was child’s play to Weaver. Whenever the Oriole skipper got in an ump’s face, the ump couldn’t ignore it. When he was in full form, Weaver had veins in his neck and forehead that strained to the point of popping. Spraying spittle like a loose water hose and cursing like a sailor, Weaver would dance around, flailing his arms in the air and stringing together four-letter epitaphs like a man who had just smashed his thumb with a hammer. Fans unfamiliar with Weaver’s antics probably thought that a wasp had flown down the back of his shirt.

Two Weaver episodes stand out in my mind. In the early 80’s, Earl achieved what no other manager had ever done before. He was ejected from both games of a double-header. In fact, he was thrown out of the second game before the first batter came to the plate. Ron Luciano, the umpire who gave him the thumb in the first game, ejected Weaver when the Oriole skipper started arguing again when he brought out the lineup card for Game Two.

On another occasion, play was halted because Weaver, incensed after his player was called out trying to steal second base, actually ripped the base from its moorings and ran into the dugout with it. To make matters worse, he refused to give it back.

Although Weaver ejections are legendary, Piniella’s on-field altercations run a close second. Known as “Sweet Lou” to all except umpires, Piniella has had more than his share of memorable run-ins with the men in blue.

A classic Piniella ejection occurred when he was managing the Seattle Mariners. Taking issue with a close call at first base, Piniella charged out of the dugout like he was shot out of a cannon. He began by slamming his cap to the ground and, strutting around the umpire like a rooster in rut, kicked dirt all over the ump’s pants. The umpire stood with arms folded across his chest while Piniella did his best Donald Duck imitation and, after having witnessed enough, gave the Mariner skipper the old heave-ho.

This action sent Piniella over the moon. He ripped the first base bag out of the ground and, spinning like an Olympic shot-putter, heaved the base down the right field line. Not satisfied with his effort, Piniella then ran down the line, picked up the base and heaved it again.

Piniella didn’t garner gold, silver or bronze for his heroics, but he did receive a hefty fine from the league office.

Keep in mind that Piniella is still now managing the woeful Chicago Cubs.

Will Sweet Lou provide fans with more ejections that are both memorable and entertaining?

Stay tuned.