The Boston Red Sox commentary team unloaded on the umpires during Monday’s June 29 game after a first base umpire ejected William Contreras for tapping his helmet, calling it “an absolute joke” and “embarrassing to the game.”
On June 29, the Red Sox led the Washington Nationals 5-1 in the bottom of the second inning when Contreras attempted to check his swing, but the first base umpire ruled it strike three. As Contreras walked back to the dugout, he tapped his helmet — a common signal in baseball to challenge a call. Check swings are not reviewable in Major League Baseball, though MLB is testing check-swing reviews in the minor leagues.
“How soft are we getting? That’s embarrassing to the game.”
Red Sox broadcasters unload on the umpire after he ejects Willson Contreras for tapping his helmet pic.twitter.com/gvUoS9MvIU
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 30, 2026
The Red Sox broadcast team was initially stunned.
“Did he just toss somebody? … I mean, how soft can you be? So no one can say anything to you?”
Their frustration only grew as they continued discussing the call.
“How soft are we getting? That is an absolute joke. That’s embarrassing to the game,” they said, adding that baseball is an entertainment business and fans want to see the best players. Contreras had already hit a home run in the first inning. (RELATED: Dysfunction Continues For Mets After Routine Play Turns Into Complete Clown Show)
Contreras said after the game he was surprised by the ejection and believed he had a strong relationship with the umpire. He added that he thought avoiding eye contact would prevent any issue, according to the New York Post.
The Red Sox are scheduled to face the Nationals again June 30.