In a dramatic showdown, Walker Buehler was ejected from his first start back from the injured list after expressing his feelings—loudly—about a missed call, while the Red Sox secured a 2-0 victory.

Buehler's return to the mound on May 20, 2025, was cut short in the third inning when he erupted over a called ball, resulting in his second career ejection, and coincidentally validating the theory that losing your cool is the best way to celebrate a comeback. Despite the drama, the Red Sox clinched the victory with solo home runs from Narvaez and Devers, reminding fans that in baseball, sometimes the only thing louder than a pitcher’s protest is the sound of a bat hitting a ball.

The tension began when Mets batter Francisco Lindor made a daring slide into second base, prompting Buehler to express his dissatisfaction regarding a related call in the top of the inning. Following Lindor’s acrobatics, Buehler was convinced he'd made a solid strike, leading him to protest loudly, ‘It’s right down the f---ing middle,’ a phrase which, judging by the ejection, evidently wasn’t a metaphor for pitch location.

Buehler’s passion, however, did not sit well with home plate umpire Mike Estabrook. Standing in the sanctuary of his umpiring domain, Estabrook swiftly meted out the kind of justice that only a shiny plate mask and a keen eye can provide. By stepping off the mound to argue with him, Buehler was signaling not just his defiance, but perhaps an unspoken strategy: if you can’t throw a perfect pitch, throw a perfect fit instead.

Maybe it was too close to call, but Estabrook’s decision left a mark on both the scoreboard and Buehler's psyche. The ejection came just as he was getting back into his groove after sitting out due to shoulder inflammation. Alas, returning to the mound only to be booted must feel a bit like being invited to a party only to be told you have to leave before the cake is cut.

If anyone could sympathize with Buehler’s plight, it was Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who also found himself ejected following an altercation with Estabrook. There’s an irony in that two professionals, each with their own vested interests, were shown the door over a disagreement about a ball that most likely made it to the plate looking innocent, albeit misunderstood.

As Buehler made his way to the dugout, the game carried on, and the Red Sox, undeterred by the earlier drama, managed to find their rhythm. Despite their ace’s departure, they took care of business with Narvaez and Devers stepping up to nail down the win. Their solo home runs sweetened the score to a solid 2-0, proving that while one player might exit stage left in a huff, the rest of the team wouldn't necessarily follow suit.

Looking at the season, Buehler has been rocking a respectable record of 4-1 with a 4.00 ERA in seven starts. His performance, reminiscent of a well-timed baseball pinball machine, has reflected his resilience. However, combining this with a penchant for getting ejected seems to be an unfortunate addendum — a mix of statistical success intertwined with a flair for the dramatic that would make one think he was auditioning for a side role as the antagonist in this summer’s baseball saga.

As baseball season continues, one can't help but wonder how long the umpire's tightrope will last before another pitcher decides to grumble about a call. Might we see Buehler sporting a new accessory? Perhaps some stylish glasses to see the ball better? Or is that a little too on the nose? Regardless, baseball remains humbling, and those who play it frequently need to remember that while they can certainly express their views, the last word on the matter typically comes from someone wearing blue rather than pinstripes.