Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver and manager Mike Scioscia were each suspended today for the altercation that occured sunday between the Angels and the Detroit Tigers. When Carlos Guillen showboated his way around the base paths after a homerun that put his team up 3-0 Weaver took offense and threw his next pitch at the head of Tiger’s catcher Alex Avila. Weaver was immdiedately tossed out of the game by umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Weaver was suspended for a total of 6 games, which means he will probably only miss one start. However he apparently feels this suspension is unjust because he has chosen to appeal instead of serving it. Scioscia’s suspension was for 1 game and he has chosen to serve it tonight when his team will go up against the Minnesota Twins.
Major League Baseball is making it very clear they will not tolerate any of this as Clevelend Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco was also suspended for 6 games yesterday after throwing at the head of Kansas City Royals slugger Billy Butler. Carrasco has also chosen to appeal his suspension. Joe Garagiola Jr., Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of standards and on-field operations, announced the discipline for both pitchers.
I can certainly understand the suspensions however I think there needs to be something done about the way batters can act after getting a homerun or a base hit. Listen I am all for being pumped after a clutch hit that your team needs and I have no problem with guys showing their emotions on the field whatsoever. However the way Guillen chose to show his emotions, staring at Weaver as he tossed his bat and continuing to stare all the way down the first base line, is just unnecessary. If I were Weaver I honestly cannot say I wouldn’t have done the same thing because as a big time athlete you simply can’t let others show you up like that on national television. Your oppenent has to respect you and that is what Weaver was making sure they did.
