As the result of an umpire strike, MLB went with replacements umpires to open the 1979 season. They often received the brunt of Hebner's frustration. On April 15, the Mets faced Hebner's former franchise, the Phillies, in a doubleheader. Home plate umpire Dave Pallone called a strike on Hebner in his first at-bat in the first game that Hebner believed was high. Hebner offered an obscenity laced opinion of the call before grounding out to second. As he ran out the ground ball, he shoved Pete Rose at first base. He then returned to home plate yelling and bumping Pallone about the called strike. Along the way, Hebner was ejected from the game, and needed to be restrained by teammates and coaches.