Buster OlneyESPN Senior Writer12:48 PM ET2 Minute Read
JUPITER, Fla. — Referee CB Bucknor declined to shake hands with St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol before an exhibition game here Saturday, according to Marmol, and Major League Baseball is considering that exchange.
Marmol was upset with Bucknor’s response on Saturday.
“I don’t think he’s good at his job and it just shows a lack of class as a man,” Marmol said after the game.
According to an MLB spokesman, “We are aware of Mr. Marmol’s comments and the matter is under review.”
Umpire CB Bucknor, No. 54, ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol during a game last August. Marmol said Saturday Bucknor refused to shake his hand before an exhibition game.AP Photo/Rick Scutteri, File
Bucknor and Marmol had a confrontation during an August 2022 game after the Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado was disputed. Bucknor threw out Marmol, who came out to argue – and as the two yelled at each other, Marmol appeared to be telling Bucknor that his time in the sport was up and Bucknor shouted back that Marmol was relatively new to his position as manager of St. Louis was She had just been promoted to the major leagues.
On Saturday, Marmol went to home plate to exchange lineup cards, and according to Marmol, Bucknor would not shake hands with him. The other referees – Ron Kulpa, Angel Hernandez and Carlos Torres – shook Bucknor’s hand. According to Marmol, others apologized for Bucknor’s refusal.
Bucknor, 60, has been a major league umpire since 1996. Marmol, 36, became the Cardinals’ first base coach in 2017 and was hired as St. Louis manager after the 2021 season.