Nationals GM ejected from luxury suites for calling umps 'brutal'

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who landed a multi-year extension on Saturday, was ejected from Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves while standing in one of the luxury boxes.

"He was saying, 'You're brutal," and other things," crew chief Joe West said postgame, according to The Associated Press' Ben Walker. "We're in a pandemic situation, you can hear everything."

During the seventh inning between the division rivals, Hunter Wendelstedt seemingly yelled, "You're out," and called for security. Second-base umpire Vic Carapazza then pointed to the stands and conferred with Braves pitcher Chris Martin.

West spoke with Braves manager Brian Snitker, with field microphones picking up someone pointing out Rizzo "doesn't have his mask on." West then got on the phone, presumably with ballpark security.

It was later made clear that Rizzo was ejected for yelling at the umpiring staff from the luxury suite.

"I wouldn't take that from a player. I wouldn't take that from a manager," West said. "If it was Donald Trump, I'd eject him, too. But I'd still vote for him."

Major League Baseball issued a statement following the game to say it plans to investigate the matter.

"We have already been in communication with the Nationals regarding what transpired during today's game, and we will speak with the umpiring crew today," the statement read. "We will expect Joe West's crew to provide a full account of their perspective, and we will follow up with them accordingly."