The MLB has produced its fair share of strange ejections over the years, but what happened before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays may rank among the most unusual.
The game had not even officially started when three players found themselves tossed from the contest. Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodriguez were ejected before a single pitch was thrown, all because of what appeared to be an anthem standoff that stretched far beyond what the umpiring crew was willing to tolerate.
After the national anthem concluded, players from both teams began heading back toward their dugouts as normal. Suter, however, remained standing near the third-base side. Across the field near the first-base dugout, Wilson and Rodriguez stayed put as well. The unusual scene quickly turned into a silent contest as none of the three appeared interested in being the first to leave the field.
An Anthem Standoff Goes Too Far
Adding to the spectacle, two Rays mascots reportedly remained nearby as the standoff continued.
What started as a harmless bit of pregame fun soon became increasingly awkward. While the three pitchers stood their ground, Angels leadoff hitter Zach Neto had already stepped into the batter’s box and was preparing for the game to begin. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen was ready to throw the first pitch, yet the standoff persisted.
Eventually, third-base umpire Lance Barrett decided the situation had gone on long enough. Rather than waiting any longer, he ejected all three players before the game officially got underway.
Suter later took the incident in stride.
“Not the coolest way to get ejected, but one of the funnier ways to get ejected,” he told reporters.
Limited Impact on the Actual Game
The practical impact on the game was limited. Suter had pitched the previous day and was unlikely to be heavily used. Wilson and Rodriguez have yet to appear for Tampa Bay this season due to injury, making their absences less significant from a competitive standpoint.
Once baseball finally replaced the pregame drama, the Angels delivered one of their most convincing performances of the season. Los Angeles exploded for four runs in the first inning and never looked back, cruising to a 14-3 victory over the American League East-leading Rays.
Despite the lopsided win, the Angels still sit near the bottom of the standings with a 23-36 record, a mark that has left many supporters frustrated as the season approaches its midpoint.
MLB Fans Split Between Laughter and Frustration
Not everyone was amused by Suter’s participation in the stunt. Some fans used the moment to vent frustrations about a club that has struggled throughout the year.
One fan joked that Suter should repeat the routine every game so he could not pitch, suggesting the bullpen’s ERA might improve as a result.
Another wrote, “You don’t get to act like a jackass when your team is the worst in the league, and you’re a big part of the reason why.”
A third fan posted on X: “Just stupid. How old are you men? 12?”
Others viewed the situation very differently. Some praised the lighthearted nature of the standoff and argued that it added a rare moment of humor to a long baseball season.
One fan responded: “Had someone try to sell me on the idea that anthem standoffs are ‘disrespectful’ the other day lol. These things are the best.”
The Angels and Rays conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon. Whether fans found the incident amusing or immature, Saturday’s contest will likely be remembered less for the final score and more for the rare sight of three Major League players being ejected before the first pitch was ever thrown.
