Full Breakdown
Angels-Rays Pre-Game Anthem Standoff Ends in Triple Ejection
6/1/2026, 12:24:50 AM
Anthem Standoff Triggers Pre-Game Ejections
During the Saturday night matchup at Tropicana Field, Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez were ejected before the first pitch. Third-base umpire Lance Barrett ruled that the three remained on the field after “The Star-Spangled Banner” ended, violating the umpire’s authority to clear the playing surface.
Background: Anthem “Last-Man-Standing” Tradition
A long-standing, informal competition among players is to be the last person to leave the field after the national anthem. The three pitchers’ refusal to retreat was interpreted as a “standoff” rather than a brief joke, prompting Barrett’s intervention.
Key Participants
- Brent Suter – Los Angeles Angels reliever, pitched the previous day.
- Steven Wilson – Rays right-hander, on the injured list with lumbar disc inflammation.
- Manuel Rodríguez – Rays left-hander, recovering from elbow surgery.
- Lance Barrett – MLB third-base umpire, cited for the ejections.
- Chase Silseth – Angels bench player who stood with Suter for several minutes but was not ejected.
- Two Rays mascots also remained on the field during the standoff.
Timeline of the Incident
1. Pre-game – National anthem performed.
2. Post-anthem – Suter stays near the third-base dugout; Silseth joins him for an estimated seven-to-eight minutes (Fox News).
3. Wilson and Rodríguez stand by the first-base dugout with mascots.
4. Barrett warns the players to leave; after the standoff persists, he ejects all three pitchers.
5. Game proceeds with Zach Neto in the batter’s box and Drew Rasmussen on the mound.
Game Outcome and Statistics
The Angels rallied to a 14-3 victory, taking a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. The win improved Los Angeles to 23-36 on the season, yet a post-game report noted the Angels and Rays were tied for the AL East lead, two games ahead of the New York Yankees. Wilson and Rodríguez remain on the injured list and have not yet debuted this season.
Official Response and Rule Basis
Barrett invoked MLB Rule 8.01(b), which authorizes an umpire to order any participant to leave the field and enforce penalties for non-compliance. The ejections were recorded as “delay of game/refusal to leave field” and marked Barrett’s first three ejections of the 2026 season. This was Suter’s first career MLB ejection and Rodríguez’s first as well.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users expressed sharp disapproval:
- “He should do that every game so he can’t pitch and the bullpen’s ERA goes down.”
- “You don’t get to act like a jackass when your team is the worst in the league and you’re a big part of the reason why.”
- “Just stupid.”
- “How old are you men? 12?”
Conversely, some fans found humor in the episode, writing, “Had someone try to sell me on the idea that anthem standoffs are ‘disrespectful’ the other day lol. These things are the best.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Duration: Fox News cites a seven-to-eight-minute standoff; other outlets give no time frame.
- Silseth’s role: Only Fox mentions Silseth’s brief participation; other reports omit him entirely.
- No official MLB statement beyond the rule citation clarifies whether the standoff was intended as a protest or a light-hearted contest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Not the coolest way to get ejected, but one of the funnier ways to get ejected,” — Brent Suter, Angels reliever
- “'He should do that every game so he can’t pitch and the bullpen's ERA goes down,' one fan wrote about Suter.” — Fan, X
- “' A different fan wrote on X: 'Just stupid.” — Fan, X
- “How old are you men?” — Fan, X
- “' Others saw the funny side, with one writing: 'Had someone try to sell me on the idea that anthem standoffs are “disrespectful” the other day lol.” — Fan, X
What’s Next
The Angels and Rays will close the three-game series on Sunday, with the set tied 1-1. No further disciplinary action has been announced, and both clubs remain poised for the next contest.
