Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, angered after striking out in the seventh inning,
appeared ready to storm onto the field to confront umpires for the
second straight game when teammates intervened in the dugout during
Thursday's 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees.
First Robin Ventura and Dave Martinez attempted to calm Thomas, who pushed them both away as he continued to yell from the dugout. Manager Terry Bevington and several White Sox coaches then attempted to restrain Thomas, who had been thrown out of Wednesday night's game after being called out on a third strike by home plate umpire Brian O'Nora.
"I was sitting next to him and he was starting to go (after the umpires) again," Ventura said. "He didn't want to talk about it so I guess I hugged him to hold him back."
Thomas was 0 for 3 with a walk. He declined to speak with reporters after the game.
Bevington tried to downplay the incident.
"Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill," Bevington said, "but there was real disagreement. Frank and Robin are good friends. Robin just didn't want him thrown out of the game again."