Things really flared up in the Subway Series showdown at Citi Field, and it had nothing to do with fireworks, sadly. At the bottom of the second inning, the game was tied up 2-2, and tension was brewing in the New York Mets’ dugout.
And Carlos Mendoza and his entire crew were clearly not fans of home plate umpire Mike Estabrook’s strike zone. One could practically even feel the frustration that was radiating from the bench, even if not every word said was caught.
Then things got spicy, and a hot mic caught Estabrook firing back at them, saying, “I’ll tell you what. You do that, and I’ll do this. That’s how it’s going to be! That’s how it’s going to be!”
Home plate umpire Mike Estabrook had some words towards the Mets’ dugout pic.twitter.com/mtadskCiH7
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 4, 2025
That line was pure fire, and given the mic caught everything. The New York Mets fans simply lost it, branding Estabrook as a horrible person and calling out Mendoza for letting the outburst loose. People got into debating if it was fair for the dugout to challenge the zone so vocally, or was Estabrook just simply crossing the line? Either way, the moment added a whole new layer to the day’s drama.
Now every year, the Subway Series carries a little more juice, but this event was something else. Not the bench or mound, but even the umpire found himself in the spotlight. And, fans are not letting this error slide.
Calls for MLB robo-umps grow louder after Mike Estabrook’s latest blunder
One fan summed the frustration perfectly. According to him, the job done is simply bad, and maybe robo-umps can come sooner and end the misery. And honestly, MLB is listening. After years of testing in the minors, the league rolled out the Automated Ball Strike system in spring training with a challenge format. Umpires still make the initial call, but teams can challenge twice per game. Now, robo-umps could be aiding strike zones by 2026.
One fan didn’t hold back, calling Mike Estabrook horrible, and it is understandable. Because this is not the first time, this error has happened. And fans have not forgotten June 10. This is when Estabrook called a clear ball a strike against Manny Machado in extras. Machado was stunned and turned to argue, too, and the moment went viral thanks to Estabrook’s chest camera. Even then, no ejection followed, almost like he knew he missed the call. That strikeout might have just changed the entire inning for the San Diego Padres, and it left fans fuming.
Horrible umpire, both sides agreed
— Stacy NYC (@Hustlediva1) July 5, 2025
One person pointed out what many were thinking—Estabrook has been inconsistent. And it’s hard to argue with that. During the Boston Red Sox and Mets game, where there was a tight battle, umpire Mike Estabrook blew a clear strike call on Walker Buehler. The two-time all-star just lost it, and so did Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Both ended up getting tossed out of the game. Fans were not just mad; they were mostly fed up. Many felt that the umpire’s call changed the game completely.
He’s been inconsistent all game for both teams’ pitchers.
— NY Fan 57 (@NYfan57) July 4, 2025
One user said the dude sucks at his job, and he isn’t alone thinking this. Mike Estabrook’s track record is really not doing him any favors. After the missed strike call that led to the ejection of Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler, manager Alex Cora stepped in and pleaded to keep his starter in the game. But as crew chief Laz Diaz revealed, Cora told Estabrook he was “bad”—not in those exact words, but enough to get him tossed. And it all stems from all the errors Estabrook has made so far.
One fan mentioned that he is consistently awful. And there is a clear frustration among fans with umpires and the errors that have been happening. Because they have been the heart of many blown calls lately, from CB Bucknor missing a jaw-dropping 28 pitches in one Reds–Cardinals game to Angel Hernández being called out as “one of baseball’s worst.” So with every error piling up, fans are growing louder with complaints. And, the demands of more people wanting robo-umps are growing louder.
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