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Cubs' Craig Counsell Breaks Silence on Nico Hoerner Ejection

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 12:30 PM ET

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Horner hit the showers early on Sunday.

Hoerner struck out looking on a pitch that was obviously low and inside and was ejected for telling home plate umpire Derek Thomas, “You’re having a really bad day.”

Manager Craig Counsell quickly rushed to Hoerner’s defense as he pleaded with Thomas. Hoerner was not explicit, nor did he throw a tantrum deserving of an ejection.

But Thomas still felt the need to remove him from the ball game.

Thomas was unforgiving in his decision and ejected Counsell, too. Here is what Counsell had to say on the situation, via Marquee Sports Network:

"The ejection of Nico was completely unwarranted," Counsell said. "There's nothing that was said that warrants an ejection. You can't eject players and affect the outcomes of games for no offense... He didn't like what Nico said, but Nico's walking by. What he said is not... it's not ejectable. You don't just eject players and change lineups and things like that."

"The ejection of Nico was completely unwarranted ... What he said is not ejectable."

Craig Counsell on Nico Hoerner's ejection in the 5th inning. pic.twitter.com/8B8IZgLAhb
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 8, 2025

Umpires have seemingly had big egos for a long time. Whether it be unlawful ejections such as Hoener’s or ambiguous strike zones, which demand cooperation from pitchers and hitters, they often need their impact to be felt by all participants.

This is even more evident in the technology-driven era, which has led to requests for automatic strike zones. Perhaps Thomas and other umpires, facing external pressure, feel even more justified in these power trips.

Hoerner is also not the type of player to ruffle an umpire’s feathers. He had only been ejected once in his seven-year MLB career. That came during a similar incident last June against the Chicago White Sox, when he was sent off for arguing a controversial strike three call.

This conflict also sets a poor precedent for player/umpire relations. Batters know there is a limit to arguing with umpires, particularly on balls and strikes, but there needs to be some sort of two-way street in this relationship.

Hoerner and Counsell were rightfully upset with the call and even more so, Thomas’s arrogance in defending his call.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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