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Retired MLB Umpire: Machado should have been ejected

Posted at 5:18 PM, Oct 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-18 12:09:30-04

Major League Baseball has fined Manny Machado for appearing to drag his leg into Jesus Aguilar Tuesday night while running to first base.

A former MLB umpire told TODAY'S TMJ4 he believes Machado should have been ejected from the game for what's being described by some as a "dirty play." 

"I was disappointed to be honest about it," said Bruce Froemming of Mequon. "You didn't see anything done." 

Froemming spent his whole career traveling across the country as an MLB umpire. He watched on TV as Machado dragged his foot into Aguilar's ankle after a routine infield ground ball in the 10th inning. 

Froemming said if he was on the field, Machado would been tossed from the game. 

"It was flagrant and as an official, it's your job to protect the other players," he said. "For trying to hurt another individual you could eject them, absolutely."

Machado scored the winning run in the 13th inning to tie the NLCS series 2-2. 

Machado was informed by the league's front office that he would be fined an undisclosed amount of money. Some Brewers fans believe that's letting him off too easily. Jamie Haim sides with Froemming. She also thinks Machado deserved to be ejected immediately after the play. 

"He should have, especially after the last play that he had going sliding into second and taking him out almost twice," Haim said.  

Not all Brewers fans believe Machado should have been tossed. 

"No, I mean, it wasn't an egregious play," said Scott Kimball. "It was dirty, but in the game of baseball things happen like that."

One thing they can agree on, Machado will not have a warm welcome when he returns to Miller Park for Game 6 of the NLCS. 

For those interested in making a last-minute ticket purchase for Friday night's game at Miller Park, standing room only tickets were going for around $100 Wednesday afternoon on resale sites like StubHub. It only goes up from there for a seat.