Oh FFS, Josh Beckett suspended for 6 games.

[flvegan]

OAKLAND -- Red Sox ace Josh Beckett has received a six-game suspension for what Major League Baseball viewed as "intentionally throwing in the head area" of Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu during Sunday's game in Anaheim. The right-hander was also fined an undisclosed amount.

Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball, viewed the incident differently than the umpiring crew, which did not eject Beckett during the game. After the contest, crew chief Joe West said that he didn't think Beckett had any intent.

The incident occurred in the bottom of the first inning. With the speedy Chone Figgins on second base, Beckett was holding the runner and, as he was about to deliver his pitch to Abreu, realized that the batter had asked for time. Beckett went through with his pitch anyway, and it sailed in high and tight on Abreu.

Though Scioscia termed the incident "flagrant" after the game, Beckett was emphatic that the pitch was delivered with no intent.

"It was one of those deals where they have a fast runner on second and I was trying to change my looks up. I was looking back there for the third time, and I started going to the plate, and when I finally got to where I'm looking at the plate, I'm already halfway through my delivery," said Beckett. "I'm not going to stop there and possibly hurt myself. It could have gone anywhere.

"I know Bobby Abreu. He knows I'm not trying to hit him. I've yet to hit somebody on the head, and it's not on my list of stuff to accomplish."

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090414&content_id=4266542&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Anyone watching the tape of the incident can see that the ball was misthrown, likely due to the movement of the ump and Abreu at the time immediately before the release. I'm glad he's appealing it.

:eyes: MLB

[joeybee12]

1. So, MLB is deciding they need to get tough...after doing nothing about steroids...

...hell, don't just appeal Josh, sue them!

[cboy4]

6. Oh brother.

:eyes:

[madinmaryland]

10. Why should they do anything about roids. All the fuckers who took them

are now living in the SHAME that they deserve.

[joeybee12]

12. And those who are delusional are still denying thety ever did them...

...gee, sonny and cher were right...the beat does go on!

[TZ]

2. all I have to say about this is...

:nopity:

Oh well. Maybe after his suspension you can climb up to your rightful place back in third....:P

[flvegan]

3. Is that so, 0-7?

DFL in the entirety of baseball.

[madinmaryland]

11. When are the Reag-Nats going to get on the Roid Train??

[nickgutierrez]

4. I saw the tape - it certainly looked intentional to me.

Not that he was trying to hit him, but I do think he tried to throw it over his head just to "send a message". Since it sparked what it did, MLB was right to step in.

[cboy4]

5. I watched the replay and it looked to me as though Beckett

was pissed that Abreu stepped out and threw high and tight.

I don't know if it's worth six games, but I do know at the very least, he should have been ejected.

[MrCoffee]

7. Bad call, MLB. He was in his motion when time was called

Yeah, it was close, but where was he supposed to throw it? The guy on 2nd had just stolen 2nd. Of course the pitcher's going to hold him there.

If Abreu wants time, he needs to call for it a hell of a lot sooner than that.

[Redbear]

8. Won't this amount to a suspension of one game?

He pitched Sunday so he will miss his start on Friday, but then be available to pitch the following Tuesday or Wednesday?

[Forkboy]

9. If they're going to do this Pedro Martinez will miss half a season.

[Bluzmann57]

13. Beckett most certainly should be suspended

But so should Joe West. That guy is one of the worst umpires out there. He is confrontational and misses a lot of calls. Beckett moved toward the plate after throwing at Abreu and West incited the Angels. Both men should be suspended.

[MrSlayer]

14. It is absolutely ridiculous.

No one was hit, no one was hurt. Baseball used to be a man's game.

[joeybee12]

16. Agreed...no one has ever gotten such a penalty, nothing even close to that...

...MLB is a joke if they enforce this crap.

[ProfessorGAC]

15. It Was A Message Pitch

But, it didn't really come that close to the hitter. So, if it was intentional, it was equally intentional that he missed him.

This suspension is out of line.
GAC