Suspend the MLB Umpire Who Taunted Justin Verlander


Suspend the MLB Umpire Who Taunted Justin Verlander
The Issue
During Sunday’s San Francisco Giants game, umpire Chad Whitson did more than blow calls—he crossed the line.
After calling multiple strikes outside the zone against Giants batters, Whitson turned to the dugout and ejected Justin Verlander. But it didn’t stop there. He taunted the veteran pitcher on a live broadcast, saying, “How about you worry about getting out of the third inning, huh?”
Verlander wasn’t even in the game. He was sitting in the dugout.
This kind of behavior has no place in Major League Baseball. Umpires are supposed to be impartial officials—not performers trying to embarrass players on national TV.
This isn’t about one ejection. It’s about protecting the integrity of the sport and demanding professionalism from those who enforce the rules.
MLB players are held accountable for every word they say. Umpires should be too.
Sign this petition to call on the league to investigate Chad Whitson’s conduct and set clear standards for umpire behavior moving forward.
[Photo Credit: Mark Blinch/Getty Images]
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The Issue
During Sunday’s San Francisco Giants game, umpire Chad Whitson did more than blow calls—he crossed the line.
After calling multiple strikes outside the zone against Giants batters, Whitson turned to the dugout and ejected Justin Verlander. But it didn’t stop there. He taunted the veteran pitcher on a live broadcast, saying, “How about you worry about getting out of the third inning, huh?”
Verlander wasn’t even in the game. He was sitting in the dugout.
This kind of behavior has no place in Major League Baseball. Umpires are supposed to be impartial officials—not performers trying to embarrass players on national TV.
This isn’t about one ejection. It’s about protecting the integrity of the sport and demanding professionalism from those who enforce the rules.
MLB players are held accountable for every word they say. Umpires should be too.
Sign this petition to call on the league to investigate Chad Whitson’s conduct and set clear standards for umpire behavior moving forward.
[Photo Credit: Mark Blinch/Getty Images]
41
The Decision Makers
Petition created on July 22, 2025
