MIAMI — Umpire Ed Rapuano said Sunday he accidentally bumped shoulders with Bobby Valentine, prompting the heated exchange that led to the ejection of the New York Mets' manager from Saturday night's game at Florida.
The contact occurred after catcher Mike Piazza had already been ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Mark Wegner.
"We both turned in the same direction when I was walking away and happened to bump shoulders," Rapuano said. 'Bobby made a comment after the bumping incident. That's when I ejected him."
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Rapuano declined to say what Valentine said as they stood nose to nose shouting. After the game, Valentine complained about Rapuano's attitude and said the ump had hard feelings about an argument with the Mets a week ago.