Gratuitous linking to infamous fight.
Now, with that out of the way, we finally have the ruling from Major League Baseball as to which players will miss what games. The inital ruling is as follows:
Fausto Carmona: Six games
Gary Sheffield: Four games
Victor Martinez: Three games (plus fine)
Asdrubal Cabrera: Three games (plus fine)
Carmona and Martinez are choosing the “appeal” route. Cabrera has not decided if he will do the same, as his suspension is slated to start on Thursday. While the players think they’re getting the shoddy end of the stick, Eric Wedge was actually surprised that Victor and Asdrubal did not receive a harsher penalty.
“I’m not surprised that there were suspensions,” manager Eric Wedge said. “I didn’t think Asdrubal and Victor would get three days. I figured they’d do something with Fausto in that [six-game] range.”
Perhaps that is where the fines come in?
If you’re wondering why Fausto is getting the brunt of things when Sheffield was the aggressor, the six games ensures that the pitcher does in fact miss at least one start. Personally, I think it is near pointless to suspend a starting pitcher unless it is in a crucial point in the season. It isn’t like the team needs to go through the full rotation each time. Why not just bump him back until the suspension is over, regardless of who is technically “up” to pitch that day?
Conveniently enough, Carmona is slated to pitch tomorrow. While I’m not 100 percent certain, if Carmona were to withdraw his appeal following his appearance, the Tribe play four games in the following four days. The suspension could then carry over to next season, and Fausto could toss the third game of the year. This is all assuming that there isn’t a reduction, so in other words: stay tuned.
Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that Judge Sheffield has also spoken again. Apparently, the suspensions are not enough of a punishment.
“They’re going to be penalized by me, too,” Sheffield said Monday. “That’s just the way it goes.”
When asked why he has gone public with that sentiment, Sheffield said, “When I challenge a man, I challenge him to his face. I’m not going to surprise you with anything. You’re going to know I’m coming. That way, you’re ready. I want you ready, just like I’m going to be ready. That’s what kind of man I am.”
And while the MLB is punishing Carmona for the time being, the generous folks over at JoeSportsFan gives the young gun a round of applause. And a bratwurst. Well deserved, if I might add.
FIGHT!! Gary Sheffield Worked by Fausto Carmona [WFNY]
Tribe hit hard for fracas with Tigers [Indians.com]
The Morning Tailgate [JoeSportsFan]
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1701 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
I would rather VMart and Cabrera don’t appeal, since they should just get those games out of the way this week instead of next April. Seriously.
Gee Sheff, Fausto looked pretty ready when you charged over from first. ‘Member that time you got your ass kicked?
A better quote from wedgie would have been “I’m glad the guys stood up for Fausto, whatever the penalty.” I’m so sick of milktoast coaches in Cleveland. The next time any Cleveland pitcher faces Shitfield they should put one in his earhole. That will shut him up.
espn has cliff lee slated to pitch tomorrah.
I don’t see from Wedge’s quote how he seemed surprised that Victor and Asdrubal didn’t get harsher penalties. He says he didn’t think they’d get three days, which sounds, if anything, like he thought they’d receive less of a penalty. The next sentence seems to pertain directly to his thoughts about Fausto’s penalty.
At first, I thought it was b.s. that Fausto received more games off than Sheffield, but thinking of it in terms of his missing one start versus Sheffield’s missing four does make it feel just.
The team has Lee pitching today. Carmona tomorrow, Sowers on Thursday.
sheffield says he challenges a man to his face and there are no surprises. a few ironies here. 1. he’s challenging the indians players through the media, and NOT to their face. 2. chances are, sheffield will take a ridiculously hard slide into second while Cabrera is trying to turn a double play (i.e. a cheap shot to a defenseless 2B half is size, and will NOT be ready to defend himself at all against the oncoming sheffield), but sheffield will say that its not a cheap shot but rather cabrera’s penalty.
I don’t understand why Sheff keeps threatening all these people when in the end……. He won’t do ****. I mean what’s he gonna do? Go to their houses and want to brawl on the front lawn??? WAIT!!!! I got it, when he’s out of baseball and all but broke in about 5-10 years, he’ll probably challenge V-Mart and A-Cab to celebrity boxing or boxing with the stars or whatever they call it…. then at least he can get a pay day.
Gary Sheffield has a prediction for the fight – paaaiiinnn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1TxiVhrkZA
Sheff is such is a loser. Yeah I do hope he gets plunked his first few times up next year. Although he needs to realize he may not even be on the Tigers next year. They did put him on waivers in August and don’t want to pay him for next year. They may have to, but it isn’t beyond the realm of possibilities he gets cut or traded and isn’t in the division.
I’m sorry, but I can’t stand Gary Sheffield. I’ve always thought he was an over-rated jerk. All attitude, 1/2 talent. He got a lot a mileage from being Dwight Gooden’s nephew early in his carreer. When he took the bat down to 1st base, he was asking for it. I’m glad Fausto got him in the headlock and thumped him a few times. Hopefully next time, Fausto will put one in his ribs.
“They’re going to be penalized by me, too,” Sheffield said Monday. “That’s just the way it goes.”
*Thumbs through MLB Rulebook*
Mr. Sheffield, there’s no rule in here about seeking retribution! You silly, silly kid. Here’s a pop tart and a Lunchables…go have fun with the other malcontent kids in the sandlot.
…what a jerk.
BTW, does anyone but me wonder exactly what Fausto did to deserve any punishment? Should he have skipped away when charged and hid behind Astrubal? If it’s implied in the league office wording that Fausto hit him intentionally, or took a first threatening step toward Sheffield from the mound, fine. But yelling back, or throwing his glove down and defending himself from a charging, angry guy with a few head noogies? Or stepping off the mound to make sure you don’t get knocked off balance when the guy gets there? Really, now. I guess there is no such thing as a legit physical defense to a physical attack. What if Fausto walked off the mound, but then Sheffield got him in the headlock and punched him? Does Fausto still get punished?
Serve the suspensions now so that it doesn’t screw with next year. Sheffield’s a punk.
@ Harv: completely agree. There was no right way for Fausto to respond. Atleast we got to see a real ass whuppin;.
Serve the games now so they don’t mess w/ anything next year.
Fausto is screwed either way. he was involved so he will get a suspension and/or fine. if he runs away, he looks like a pansy.
Did anyone see this in Rob Neyer’s chat on ESPN?
Rick (Phoenix): Indians in 2009. That’s all I’m saying.
SportsNation Rob Neyer: I’m saying the same thing.
Wow….he must think LaPorta is the deal, Choo is an everyday guy, Carmona is back to normal and a shaky bullpen means World Series?