June 7, 2011

Papelbon Suspended For Three Games

Major League Baseball:
Boston Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount for his inappropriate actions, which included making contact with home plate umpire Tony Randazzo, during the top of the ninth inning of his Club's Saturday, June 4th game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. ...

Papelbon's suspension was scheduled to begin being served during Boston's game tonight against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, but he has elected to appeal. Thus, his suspension will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.

6 comments:

Tom DePlonty said...

What bullshit.

Michael said...

I didn't realize that there was a railroad in MLB. I guess I was wrong.

The 'incident' he's being punished for was entirely instigated and precipitated by Tony Randazzo. He suddenly changed the strike zone just for Pap, then ejected him after Pap reacted to HIS provocation.

I have little faith that the appeal will result in actual justice, but I truly hope it will.

Danie said...

Um... wasn't there this guy... in another sport that... let's say... bit another player, who just happened to be on a Boston team and nothing happened??

Maybe it's in my head, maybe not, but it always seems to me that the Boston players get held to a different level than other ones.

And Umps, I'm just done with all sorts of umps and Refs, from Tennis to Hockey. They all want to get on SportsCenter it appears.

laura k said...

Maybe it's in my head, maybe not, but it always seems to me that the Boston players get held to a different level than other ones.

I'm pretty sure it's in your head. I'm also pretty sure fans of most teams feel this way about their own teams. Everyone feels put upon when it's their players, and takes little notice when it's the other teams'. Unless it's a rival, then they feel it's unfair in the other direction. C'est la vie.

Tom DePlonty said...

Everyone feels put upon when it's their players, and takes little notice when it's the other teams'.

I agree with this. The thing about Randazzo and Papelbon is that they both seem partially at fault, but suspending the player also penalizes the team. (Who cares if Randazzo gets suspended?) I'd argue too the umpires should be held to a somewhat higher standard than the players, who are going to be emotionally charged up, in a way the umps really shouldn't be.

If the fault is shared, then fine them both. But suspending Papelbon, when Randazzo was being provocative too, is unfair.

FenFan said...

I agree with the general consensus here. Why does Papelbon face suspension while Randazzo goes about his business if both are at fault? Papelbon should be faulted for bumping Randazzo, by his own admission, but not to this extreme.

If Mike Winters can face suspension for his actions, then so should Randazzo.