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It’s been a tough 24 hours for CB Bucknor.
Tuesday night, Major League Baseball’s longtime umpire made an egregious call when, without looking, he ruled that a runner had not touched first base and pulled him out — yet Jake Bauers’ cleat hit right in the middle of the bag.
After going viral on social media, Bucknor, 63, took on an even tougher job Wednesday by stepping behind the plate, which in the ABS era put umpires under the biggest microscope they’ve ever known.
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Umpire CB Bucknor is injured in the second inning on a foul ball and leaves during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field on April 1, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (John Fisher/Getty Images)
Well, Bucknor’s day ended early after a 100.2 mph pitch was overthrown and hit him right in his facemask.
Flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski was on the hump for the Milwaukee Brewers against Nick Fortes of the Tampa Bay Rays when Fortes fouled out in the field. Fortes and Brewers catcher William Contreras immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
The Brewers training staff came onto the field to tend to a shaken Bucknor, who left shortly after.
Umpire CB Bucknor is assisted by medical personnel after making a bad pitch to the facemask during the first inning of the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers game in the first inning at American Family Field. (Michael McLoone/Imagn Images)
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The game was delayed several minutes because the umpiring crew needed someone new behind the plate – the rest of the game was played with three umpires.
Milwaukee scored six runs in the eighth inning to earn an 8-2 victory for its fifth victory in its first six games of the season.
Bucknor has been an umpire since 1996, playing in the 2005 and 2021 All-Star Game as well as five American League Division Series games. He is one of the two longest-tenured umpires in the majors and has been on the field for two no-hit games.
Umpire CB Bucknor is assisted by medical personnel after making a bad pitch to the facemask during the first inning of the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers game in the first inning at American Family Field. (Michael McLoone/Imagn Images)
Bucknor has already left at least two games, including one in 2013 where he took another foul in the mask.
