The line is blurry, but Jorge Lopez crossed it.
Players routinely take out their frustrations on equipment and objects, whether it’s firing a helmet to the ground in disgust or assaulting the water cooler, but throwing a glove into the stands in anger is deemed next-level.
Lopez became a former Mets reliever Thursday when he was designated for assignment by the club a day after an on-field meltdown. The right-hander was ejected by third base umpire Ramon De Jesus after complaining about the call on a check swing by Freddie Freeman. Upon leaving the field, Lopez threw his glove over the protective netting behind the first-base dugout.
Manager Carlos Mendoza called the act “unacceptable.” Lopez’s bad day was compounded by comments he issued at his locker that were initially construed as the pitcher saying the Mets were the worst “team” in the major leagues.
