MLB suspends Ortiz, Gregg, Gonzalez and Showalter

[a700hitter]

MLB suspends Ortiz, Gregg, Gonzalez and Showalter

July 14, 2011 03:38 PM

 

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

Major League Baseball has suspended David Ortiz and Baltimore pitcher Kevin Gregg for four games in the wake of the brawl last Friday.

 

Baltimore pitcher Mike Gonzalez was suspended three games for throwing at Ortiz on Sunday. Orioles manager Buck Showalter also received a one-game suspension for that incident.

 

No word yet on if those players have appealed. Showalter does not have the right to appeal.

 

There also were fines levied on Jarrod Saltalamacchia and John Lackey for their actions. Saltalamacchia was disciplined for "aggressive actions" during the brawl and Lackey for intentionally throwing at Derrek Lee on Saturday.

 

MLB also fined Orioles pitcher Jim Johnson for his actions during the brawl.

 

Here is the release from MLB:

 

Major League Baseball has issued the following discipline as a result of the incidents that took place during the July 8th-10th series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Joe Garagiola, Jr., Senior Vice President of Standards and On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

 

Designated hitter David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox and pitcher Kevin Gregg of the Baltimore Orioles each have received four-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their actions in the Friday, July 8th game, which included inciting the benches to clear on two occasions during the bottom of the eighth inning and fighting during the second bench-clearing incident. Unless appealed, Gregg is scheduled to begin serving his suspension tonight, when the Orioles host the Cleveland Guardians, and Ortiz is scheduled to begin serving his suspension tomorrow, when the Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.

 

Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez also has received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at Ortiz during the bottom of the sixth inning of the Sunday, July 10th contest after warnings had already been issued earlier in the game. Unless appealed, Gonzalez’s suspension is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 18th, when the Orioles are to host the Red Sox. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for the intentional actions of Gonzalez during Sunday’s game. Showalter will serve his one-game suspension during tonight’s game against the Guardians.

 

If any player chooses to appeal, then his discipline will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.

 

In addition, three players have been fined undisclosed amounts for their actions during the series. Pitcher Jim Johnson of the Orioles and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia of the Red Sox have been disciplined for their aggressive actions during the second bench-clearing incident in the eighth inning of Friday’s game. Pitcher John Lackey of the Red Sox has been disciplined for intentionally throwing at Derrek Lee of the Orioles during the top of the seventh inning of the Saturday, July 9th game.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/07/mlb_suspends_or.html

 

I think Ortiz should appeal to try to get this reduced.

[AtWork]

I'd be very surprised if Ortiz didn't appeal so he can play in our 3 game series with Tampa Bay and then take the suspension while we're playing out 10 games after that against basement teams. It may even be reduced to 3 games.

[Dojji]

Appeal until Crawford gets back, then serve the suspension. That way we keep Reddick in the lineup for 4 more days with no Drew controversy.

[Wil Corderos Wife]

I don't see how it makes sense that Papi and Gregg get the same amount, especially with Gregg being a pitcher and the clear instigator. You throw at somebody three times, bark at them after the play, and then run your mouth off to the media after the game; it doesn't get much more blatant than that. He got off super easy. Papi got about what I expected and I wouldn't be surprised to see it reduced to 2-3 on appeal.

 

Have we figured out yet what the hell Salty/Johnson did?

[ORS]

Plus, a four game suspension for a closer is really like a 2 game suspension (most cases - 3 in extreme cases). For an every day player, a 4 game suspension is a 4 game suspension.

[suns]

I don't see how it makes sense that Papi and Gregg get the same amount, especially with Gregg being a pitcher and the clear instigator. You throw at somebody three times, bark at them after the play, and then run your mouth off to the media after the game; it doesn't get much more blatant than that. He got off super easy. Papi got about what I expected and I wouldn't be surprised to see it reduced to 2-3 on appeal.

 

Have we figured out yet what the hell Salty/Johnson did?

 

He got the suspension because he rushed the mound twice

[Dojji]

Plus' date=' a four game suspension for a closer is really like a 2 game suspension (most cases - 3 in extreme cases). [/quote']

 

I disagree. Sure he's probably not going to be used in all 4 of those games if he isn't suspended, but a closer should be available to go in any one of them unless he's pitched 2-3 nights in a row. So the least you can rhetorically reduce that suspension to is three games. Because at the very minimum he would have been a viable option in any of the last 3 games if he had been needed. And in fact since Gregg didn't pitch in that last game, he would have been an option the manager coulda gone to any of the 4.

[a700hitter]

He got the suspension because he rushed the mound twice

He didn't rush the mound at all. The first incident he yelled at him and took a step out in front of the plate. In the second incident, Gregg had left the mound, which is when he got ejected.

[suns]

Gregg wasn't the one running at ortiz.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

He never said he didn't run at Gregg. He said he never rushed him twice which he is right. Gregg tried to stir up s***, 3 straight inside pitches and then yelling at him saying go to first? I really wish Ortiz hit him with the uppercut.

[SoxSport]

Is Watson still in charge of this stuff in the ML office? He's an ex-Yankee who is always tough on Red Sox players. Fortunately, there is an appeal process. Papi deserves 4 games for being prima donna stupid.

[Emmz]

Plus' date=' a four game suspension for a closer is really like a 2 game suspension (most cases - 3 in extreme cases). For an every day player, a 4 game suspension is a 4 game suspension.[/quote']

 

With Kevin Gregg, the league did them a favor. Is that guy still the King of Blowing Saves? I remember when he was with the Marlins, he could never hold a lead.

[BornToRun]

Is Watson still in charge of this stuff in the ML office? He's an ex-Yankee who is always tough on Red Sox players. Fortunately' date=' there is an appeal process. [b']Papi deserves 4 games for being prima donna stupid[/b].

 

Because he's just supposed to let that douchebag and his fruity goggles try to hit him 3 times and then run his mouth off and let it go?

[redsoxrules]

Because he's just supposed to let that douchebag and his fruity goggles try to hit him 3 times and then run his mouth off and let it go?

 

Yup.

 

I would have been laughing my ass off at Gregg instead for NOT being able to hit me on 3 pitches cause he sucks

[redsoxbeatz]

Why have any suspensions? They were going after Ortiz and pitcher was taunting. This is the MLB not little league.

 

Anyway, appeal that s***.

[Wil Corderos Wife]

Is Watson still in charge of this stuff in the ML office? He's an ex-Yankee who is always tough on Red Sox players. Fortunately' date=' there is an appeal process. Papi deserves 4 games for being prima donna stupid.[/quote']

 

I think it's Joe Torre now

[Wil Corderos Wife]

He got the suspension because he rushed the mound twice

 

I don't have an issue with Papi getting suspended, I have an issue with the two getting the same suspension. And Papi didn't rush the mound. In both instances Gregg left the mound and was coming toward him.

[redsoxbeatz]

I don't have an issue with Papi getting suspended' date=' I have an issue with the two getting the same suspension. And Papi didn't rush the mound. In both instances Gregg left the mound and was coming toward him.[/quote']

 

Gregg taunted him too. Orioles should be required to forfeit their next 10 games to make them 28 GB. Pathetic franchise.

[Thunder]

Ortiz was provoked. He should appeal, but he feels that he should've ignored Gregg.

[JazMajor]

I wonder how the games will be without these guys ... just sucks...

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Ortiz was provoked. He should appeal' date=' but he feels that he should've [b']f***ed up[/b] Gregg.

 

Fixed. He totally was holding back.

[SoxSport]

I think it's Joe Torre now

 

great news. Torre is a good guy.

[SoxSport]

Ortiz was provoked. He should appeal' date=' but he feels that he should've ignored Gregg.[/quote']

 

yeah. that's the problem with the way Baseball interprets these altercations. the guy that starts it often gets off lighter than the target. it just encourages baiting.

[SoxSport]

Fixed. He totally was holding back.

 

Papi should have twisted Gregg's pitching shoulder.

 

Remember when Nettles did that to Bill Lee? Cost the Red Sox the Pennant.

[Jwmann2]

Throwing at a player is a punk move. Strike him out! Throw some heat!