When rookie OF Bryce Harper was tossed by umpire C.B. Bucknor for helmet-spiking last week, it marked the first time in 2012 any member of the Washington Nationals had been ejected from a game. If you think that’s because the NL East-leading Nats have little to complain about, Adam LaRoche (above) argues (politely, of course) it’s really a matter of anger management. From the Washington Post’s James Wagner :
“I don’t think we’ve had that long stretch of really frustrating losing, nothing is going right and getting [upset],” said LaRoche, who has been ejected only twice in his nine-year career; last in 2008. “I think that’s part of it. I guess we’ve got calm tempers.”
It’s worth noting that only six current Nationals players aside from Harper have been ejected in their careers: Mark DeRosa (with the Texas Rangers in 2006); Ian Desmond (throwing his helmet following an overturned call in 2010); Jesus Flores in 2008; John Lannan (in his 2007 major league debut); LaRoche (in 2006 and 2008); and Zimmerman (throwing down his bat and helmet after a strikeout on Aug. 18, 2010). Also, Manager Davey Johnson has been tossed 34 times in his career; his most recent one on Aug. 28, 2011.