MLB Is Reportedly Reviewing Incident With Prominent Umpire
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 21: Third base umpire Jeff Nelson #45 steps in between manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St Louis Cardinals and home plate umpire CB Bucknor #54 during an argument after Marmol was ejected during the third inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Usually, there aren't any prominent incidents involving managers and umpires during the first week of spring training.
That's not the case this year, as St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol and longtime umpire C.B. Bucknor are feuding after Bucknor refused to shake Marmol's hand before Saturday's exhibition game against the Washington Nationals.
The two men had a prior run-in last August, when Bucknor ejected Marmol from a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, MLB will probe Saturday's confrontation between Bucknor and Marmol.
"MLB is reviewing what occurred between umpire C.B. Bucknor and Cardinals Manager Oliver Marmol," Olney tweeted this afternoon. "Marmol told reporters after Saturday's game that Bucknor would not shake his hand during the exchange of lineup cards before the game."
Marmol blasted Bucknor, who has been an MLB umpire since 1996, in his press conference following yesterday's game.
“I went into that game pretty certain of my thoughts on him as an umpire,” Marmol said. “They weren’t very good and it shows his lack of class as a man. I chose my words wisely. I just don’t think he’s good at his job and it showed his lack of class as a man.”
On the field, the Nationals beat the Cardinals 3-2.
