Former Dodgers Star Pitcher Walker Buehler Ejected in Wild Scene During Chaotic Red Sox vs Mets Game at Fenway Park

Former Los Angeles Dodgers ace Walker Buehler, now working his way back from injury and seeking to recapture his dominant form, found himself at the center of a bizarre and unexpected incident on a wild night at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, two historic franchises with passionate fanbases and plenty of late-May tension, delivered a game filled with intensity, questionable calls, and unfiltered emotion. But nothing proved more shocking than the abrupt ejection of Buehler, a player not even involved in the game, during the late innings of Tuesday night’s nationally televised matchup.

Buehler, who had made the trip to Fenway as a guest of former Vanderbilt teammate and Mets pitcher Kumar Rocker, was in the stands enjoying what was supposed to be a laid-back evening of baseball. Sitting near the first-base line and wearing a neutral hoodie pulled up over his hat, Buehler was mostly unrecognized by casual fans. But his anonymity didn’t last long after a heated exchange with a member of the officiating crew escalated in dramatic fashion. According to eyewitnesses and broadcast footage later shared widely on social media, Buehler stood up from his seat during a pivotal play in the bottom of the seventh inning, appearing visibly frustrated with a controversial strike call against Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers.

At first, it seemed like Buehler was just another animated fan caught up in the emotion of a tight game. But cameras captured Buehler shouting something in the direction of the field as plate umpire Gabe Morales turned and appeared to lock eyes with him. What was said exactly remains unclear, but within seconds, Morales pointed directly toward the stands, prompting a brief moment of confusion. Fans in the section looked around, unsure of who the target was. Then, as security personnel approached, Buehler stood up and began to calmly explain his side, raising his hands in an apparent attempt to de-escalate. But the damage had already been done — Buehler had been ejected from the stadium, a surreal moment that left fans stunned and broadcasters scrambling for context.

While it’s not unheard of for fans to be tossed from games for unruly behavior, the ejection of a former MLB All-Star pitcher — one with two All-Star appearances and a World Series ring — added a strange twist to an already chaotic game. The Mets were leading 5-4 at the time after a wild sixth inning that featured three pitching changes, a manager challenge, and a bench-clearing stare-down following a high-and-tight fastball thrown near Red Sox infielder Jarren Duran. Tensions were already high, and the strike zone had been a hot topic of debate all evening, with both teams expressing visible frustration.

After Buehler’s removal, fans in the section booed the umpires heavily, many still unaware of who exactly had been ejected. It wasn’t until sideline reporters confirmed Buehler’s identity and connection to the Dodgers and Rocker that the story began to unfold in full. As the news trickled through the stadium and social media exploded with reactions, Buehler’s name began trending on Twitter, not for his pitching prowess, but for being at the center of an unlikely in-game controversy.

Speaking briefly to a reporter outside the stadium afterward, Buehler appeared more amused than angry. “I was just defending a bad call,” he said with a shrug. “Didn’t think it would turn into that. I’ve played in some crazy games, but I never thought I’d get tossed as a fan.” He declined to elaborate further but did note that he was looking forward to getting back to pitching soon and “staying away from any more umpiring drama.”

The incident quickly drew reaction from players and coaches on both sides. Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who had already been seen arguing balls and strikes earlier in the game, made a tongue-in-cheek remark after the loss. “When the umpires start ejecting former Cy Young candidates from the stands, you know it’s one of those nights,” Cora said. “Honestly, we all saw the call. I think Buehler just said what a lot of people were thinking.” Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza was more diplomatic, saying only that he hadn’t seen the interaction clearly but that “it’s a tough job for umpires, especially in a close game like this.”

MLB had not issued an official statement on the ejection as of Wednesday morning, but sources within the league office confirmed that they were reviewing the incident and did not expect any disciplinary action against Buehler. Still, the moment has already joined a long list of bizarre baseball ejections, from players tossed while on the injured list to managers ejected from the dugout before the game even starts. But for a former star pitcher to be ejected as a spectator — in a game he had no official involvement in — it marked a new level of unpredictability.

Fans and analysts alike were quick to weigh in on the moment. Some viewed it as a humorous footnote in Buehler’s career — a player known for his competitive fire, even when not in uniform. Others raised questions about the authority umpires hold when it comes to interactions with fans, especially those in close proximity to the field. Umpires can, and do, remove fans they believe are creating a hostile or disruptive environment. But whether Buehler crossed a clear line or simply became a scapegoat on a night of mounting frustration remains up for debate.

In the broader context of Buehler’s career, the incident may just be a footnote. The 29-year-old right-hander is continuing his rehab following a second Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for much of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Once a dominant postseason weapon for the Dodgers, Buehler is trying to return to form in what is a crucial year for his future, both with the Dodgers and in Major League Baseball overall. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had previously indicated that the team hopes to have Buehler back in the rotation by mid-season 2025, though no official timeline has been set. Tuesday’s unexpected scene may not help that return, but it certainly didn’t involve any physical setback.

For now, the baseball world gets to enjoy the rare intersection of intensity and absurdity that only baseball can deliver. A star pitcher ejected not for hitting a batter or arguing with a manager, but for standing in the stands and voicing a fan’s opinion. It speaks to the unpredictable energy of Fenway Park, the volatility of close games between proud franchises, and the continued importance of umpires navigating high-stakes situations with poise.

As for Buehler, he’ll likely return to his recovery process with a good story and a bit more caution next time he’s near the action. And for the fans who were lucky enough to witness it — or unlucky enough to miss it while grabbing a hot dog — the memory of “Walker Buehler’s Ejection Night” will linger long after the box score is forgotten.

The Red Sox would go on to lose the game 6-5 after a blown save in the ninth, adding insult to injury for Boston fans already frustrated by the strike zone and the bizarre turn of events. Meanwhile, the Mets continue their surprising push in the NL East, with Rocker flashing signs of his early-season promise and the bullpen holding together despite injuries.

But none of that was the headline.

Walker Buehler, former Dodgers ace, All-Star, World Series winner, and noted competitor, had been ejected not by an umpire during a game he was pitching, but from the stands of Fenway Park — a strange and wild scene in a sport that never seems to run out of them.