Baseball Chat

[Susie924]

Joe West gets suspended one game without pay for grabbing Papelbon by the shirt.

The suspension will be tonight so we won't have to see him during the Yankees/Rays game.

Here's the statement from MLB vice-president of baseball operations Joe Torre:

"Joe West handled himself appropriately in ejecting Papelbon after the player's lewd gesture to the fans. I fully understand that Joe was reacting to a player who was acting aggressively, and can understand his frustration with the situation. However, Joe knows that an umpire cannot initiate physical contact with a player just as a player cannot initiate physical contact with an umpire. I spoke to Joe about the incident, and he admitted that there was a better way to handle the situation. I consider this matter closed."