LaTroy Hawkins Accuses Umps of Favoring Cubs

Astros' reliever LaTroy Hawkins was ejected from Monday night's Cubs/Astros game at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniels/Getty Images

It's understandable that LaTroy Hawkins would be upset after the Astros' loss last night to the Cubs. The 'Stros began the night two games behind division-leading Chicago and with their tough 13-inning loss, which ended on a grand slam by Alfonso Soriano, they lost another game in the standings.

Hawkins, meanwhile, was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes and in his frustration after the game accused home plate umpire Mike Everitt of favoring the Cubs with his calls.

The incident came with Aramis Ramirez at the plate, right after Hawkins issued a walk to Derrek Lee. Hawkins was apparently upset with an 0-1 pitch called a ball by Everitt. It seems that Hawkins started things by questioning the call and was tossed when he ignored Everitt's warning to stop. After the game he actually accused him of favoring the Cubs.

From the Houston Chronicle (same link as above), here are Hawkins' words:

"I thought it was a strike," Hawkins said. "And I told (Everitt), 'Come on, I need that pitch.' He don't need any help.' He said, 'Knock it off.' I waved him off, and he threw me out of the game. Maybe he was having a bad day. I thought he had determined who he wanted to win the game anyway."

Hawkins will likely apologize for the accusation in the near future, saying that he was wrapped up in the emotion of the tough loss and didn't mean to actually accuse Everitt of favoring the Cubs. That said, accusing an umpire of "determin[ing] who he wanted to win the game," is pretty serious and it isn't exactly a charge that can just be brushed off.

Hawkins probably should've kept that little rant to himself after the game, but he probably did have reason to be arguing Everitt's strike zone. Looking at the GameDay from the game last night, it seems like two of the balls thrown to Lee, plus the ball called on Ramirez that ended up promting the ejection, were all in the strike zone. I don't think there's any chance that Everitt was actually favoring the Cubs, and Hawkins certainly was wrong to accuse him of such, but his strike zone wasn't doing Hawkins any favors.