Friday, April 23, 1999

Oester goes face-to-face with umpire



BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

[oester]
Reds coach Ron Oester argues with umpire Mark Hirschbeck.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)

| ZOOM |
        You can't say the Reds went down without a fight Thursday night. Their 4-1 loss to the New York Mets ended with third base coach Ron Oester and umpire Mark Hirschbeck headed to the tunnel in a heated disagreement.

        The controversy started on the second strike to the Reds' last batter, Dmitri Young. Young tried to check his swing. First base umpire Mark Wagner said he went around.

        After he eventually struck out, Young argued with Wagner about the check-swing call as he walked toward the dugout. Oester trotted over from third to add his point.

        (Television replays suggested Young had an argument. Afterward, Young would not comment.)

        Said Oester: “I said it wasn't automatic. (Wagner) said, "I know it's not (blanking) automatic.' ”

        The were several more expletives exchanged, according to Oester.

        At that point, Hirschbeck came over from third and joined the argument. Hirschbeck and Oester went face-to-face at high volume.

        “He called me out,” Oester said. “He said, "Come back here and I'll kick your (butt).' ”

        That's where the versions of what happened are in dispute.

        “He challenged me,” Hirschbeck said.

        For a minute or two, Oester and Hirschbeck continued arguing in the area between the umpires room and the Reds clubhouse.

        Bruce Froemming, the crew chief, supported Hirschbeck's version:

        “Oester argued with Wagner as we were going off the field. Hirschbeck intervened. Oester got obscene with him, then got physical with him. He wanted to take it off the field. He followed us in where we go to our locker room.

        “Oester continued to be obscene and had to be restrained by his teammates.”

        Froemming said the National League office would be informed.

       


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