Yankees catcher Russell Martin "punished" by the umpire for arguing.

[Renew Deal]

This is a weird story...

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin said plate umpire Laz Diaz decided on an unusual way to punish him for arguing balls and strikes.

Martin said Diaz wouldn't allow him to throw new baseballs back to his pitchers after fouls during New York's 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. "Laz Diaz is a d---. Write it hard," Martin shouted as he came into the clubhouse.

Martin said the ball ban was put into effect after he and Diaz exchanged some words over strike calls early in the game.

"He said that it was a privilege that I had to earn, for me to throw the ball back," said the catcher, a seven-year veteran and three-time All Star. "That's never happened to me before. I even told him, because there's guys on base, I like to keep my arm loose. Nope. 'I'm not letting you throw the ball back.' That's pretty strange, to me. That's a good story, huh?"
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http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7991478/new-york-yankees-russell-martin-says-had-unusual-run-umpire

[Drum]

1. Bizarro...

[Scuba]

2. I thought arguing balls and strikes was grounds for ejection.

[Renew Deal]

3. This is almost worse

You get to stay in the game while the umpire tortures you. Bwahahaha.

[joeybee12]

4. I love that he talked about this for an hour after the game...

Talk about obssessive!

[Auggie]

5. Bullshit -- since when do umpires create their own kind of punishment?

Punishment comes from Selig's office. If Selig has any balls he'll fine or suspend Diaz. Outrageous behavior.

[Renew Deal]

6. That's basically what Cashman said.

I bet this is one of those things that's in the rules that no one knows about. I just wonder if it's better than getting ejected or not.

[Auggie]

7. I've never heard of this -- ever.