On the way to the hot dog stand? Bizarre moment minor league baseball manager jumps into CROWD after being ejected for furious confrontation with umpire
- Brayan Peña couldn’t resist taking a shortcut to the exit after being thrown
- The manager is a former MLB wide receiver who played for five different teams
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Like many baseball managers before him, Brayan Peña of the West Michigan Whitecaps was ejected Friday night for yelling at the umpire.
But Peña ventured into new territory – both figuratively and literally – at LMCU Ballpark when he jumped an outfield barrier and climbed the stairs in front of the fans.
The Detroit Tigers branch High-A manager was initially furious at a dodgy strike call and faced the referee, yelling at him for the perceived mistake.
He was eventually separated from officiating by West Michigan bench coach Tim Garland, but returned to the plate once more to lend a listening ear to the umpire.
From there, it was time for Peña to finally make his exit.
I missed that earlier. Both Lake County managers were ejected tonight. Brayan Peña gave the referee some ears then jumped the fence to join the fans. @ThatDanHasty calls this chapter a particularly wild game. pic.twitter.com/zd7yDDVzaf
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 17, 2023
Brayan Peña made an unexpected trip to the stands after being ejected on Friday
He even passed a food stand on his way out as his team ultimately lost the match.
But rather than just walking in the dugout, LMCU Ballpark requires players or coaches to leave the field completely in the corner of right field.
Peña grew impatient as he approached this location, opting instead to take a shortcut through the crowd past stunned fans and a food stand in the lobby.
The manager of the Whitecaps’ opponent on the evening, the Lake County Captains, was also sent off, but Peña’s unexpected trip to the stands made the night’s headlines.
The 41-year-old enjoyed a 12-year career in MLB as a catcher and played one season for the Tigers in 2013.
Peña’s Whitecaps would ultimately lose the game 9-8 in 10 innings.
