The Mets had to deal with Noah Syndergaard getting ejected after throwing behind Chase Utley in 2016. Someone found audio of the on-field conversations, and it’s spectacular.
It’s been a little while, but New York Mets fans will never stop hating on Chase Utley. As if him being a star for the Philadelphia Phillies and a thorn in the side for most National League East teams weren’t enough, he took things up a level during the 2015 NLDS.
I doubt anyone needs a reminder, but that’s when Utley slid hard into second base to break up a double play, which also broke Ruben Tejada’s leg. The Mets would never officially retaliate during the series, but they did end up beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games en route to a World Series appearance.
That wasn’t enough, though.
These two teams met for the first time following that series the next season for a three-game set in New York at the end of May. On Saturday, May 28, Noah Syndergaard lasted just 2.1 innings after throwing behind Utley.
The first base umpire had a microphone on, and we get a treat in hearing what Syndergaard and Terry Collins had to say about the sequence of events.
Warning: The following video and ensuing tweet contains vulgar language.
How have I never seen this with the audio before? pic.twitter.com/SGg9KNZk2l
— Jed (@TigersJUK) June 13, 2018
The person who uncovered — or rediscovered? — this clip summed up Syndergaard’s attempt to defend himself perfectly:
Noah: *Throws fastball 5ft behind batter*
Ump: “You’re done!”
Noah: “For throwing a fucking fastball?”
— Jed (@TigersJUK) June 13, 2018
As if that wasn’t already hilarious enough, Terry Collins flying in and throwing expletives left and right was truly the proverbial icing on the cake.
We all knew he was one of those old-school baseball lifers, but listening to him plead his case just confirms that. Then again, he had a right to still be angry with Utley and the league — his initial two-game suspension was appealed and subsequently overturned earlier that month.
The best was truly at the end when the umpire made sure Collins got everything off his chest — probably because he understands where the frustration is coming from.
Collins had his faults as a manager, but nobody could deny how passionate he was about the game. An exchange like this is a pleasant blast from the past — especially on another night where the bullpen has blown a lead late in the game.
