Workman suspended for 6 games for throwing behind Longoria

[donutogre]

He was scheduled to start tomorrow. They HAVE to appeal this, yes?
 


MLB just suspended Brandon Workman for six games for throwing behind Longoria.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) June 3, 2014

 

[RedOctober3829]

This is BS. Price gets away scot free after basically admitted he threw at Ortiz on purpose.

 

[AbbyNoho]

You've got to be fucking kidding me. That was the single worst officiated game I've ever seen, and we're still being punished for it?

The Rays admitted Price threw at Ortiz and they get nothing?!

 

[BornToRun]

This is complete bullshit.

 

[budcrew08]

Horseshit. Fucking crap.

 

[donutogre]

You've got to be fucking kidding me. That was the single worst officiated game I've ever seen, and we're still being punished for it?

The Rays admitted Price threw at Ortiz and they get nothing?!

 
Truly a travesty. Things are really going to get ugly the next time these teams face off. If Price got suspended, too, I'd at least feel a little better about this — but as it is, this feels incredibly arbitrary.

 

[LuckyBen]

That is ridiculous.  Does Price escape all blame for last weekend? Listening to MLB radio yesterday, Casey Stern placed all the blame on Papi, thankfully Bowden placed some blame on Price.  

 

[Nuf Ced]

Imagine how many games Workman would have got if he actually, you know, hit Longoria.

 

[AbbyNoho]

Meanwhile Tampa Bay tweets that MLB does whatever the Red Sox want.

 

[JohntheBaptist]

Wait, the blame on Ortiz? How did he contort his way into that? (edit: @LuckyBen)
 
This is about as bad as it gets for a reading of the situation. David Price got on national TV and admitted to throwing at Ortiz on purpose because he thinks he's full of himself. And he gets nothing? That's really, really bad.

 

[LuckyBen]

Wait, the blame on Ortiz? How did he contort his way into that? (edit: @LuckyBen)
 
This is about as bad as it gets for a reading of the situation. David Price got on national TV and admitted to throwing at Ortiz on purpose because he thinks he's full of himself. And he gets nothing? That's really, really bad.

 
Sorry, he didn't blame Ortiz for getting plunked.  His entire conversation of the incident surrounded Ortiz using the term War when talking to the media.  He then went on to question when Ortiz will start getting called out for his actions, saying no player in baseball has as much drama surrounding him.  Funny enough, he failed to call out Price once.

 

[normstalls]

The way that game was called and then followed up with this baseless ruling it feels like MLB has a legitimate beef with the Red Sox organization.

 

[MakMan44]

Wow. Wasn't expecting this at all. 

 

[AbbyNoho]

 
Sorry, he didn't blame Ortiz for getting plunked.  His entire conversation of the incident surrounded Ortiz using the term War when talking to the media.  He then went on to question when Ortiz will start getting called out for his actions, saying no player in baseball has as much drama surrounding him.  Funny enough, he failed to call out Price once.

 
This is the league that employs Alex Rodriguez, right? I mean, I haven't stepped into an alternate reality?
 
The whole War thing makes me mad as Hell. It's the douchiest of douchebag moves to pull the "Clearly you don't support the troops" line out of thin air. The definition of war includes many more things than armed combat between soldiers. Ortiz used an incredibly common figure of speech. People should be on Price for bringing soldiers into it, not Ortiz.

 

[ivanvamp]

I mean, this is unbelievable.  The scorecard:
 
Opposing batters hit:
TB:  3 
Bos:  0
 
Opposing batters intentionally hit:
TB:  at least 1
Bos:  0
 
Personnel ejected:
TB:  0
Bos:  4
 
Personnel suspended:
TB:  0
Bos:  1
 
I mean, in what universe is ANY of this remotely fair?  How can a major league official look at all this and conclude that it is the Red Sox that should have players suspended?

 

[Ed Hillel]

MLB is hiding behind the "he wasn't thrown out" card, which is garbage and not at all in line with the intent and spirit of the rule. Both the pitcher and the manager admitted post-game that it was intentional. Whatever, the Rays suck and Price will probably be pitching for the Dodgers or somesuch in a few months anyway.
 

He then went on to question when Ortiz will start getting called out for his actions

 
David Ortiz, stop getting hit by 95 MPH fastballs. This isn't about you, bro.

 

[JohntheBaptist]

 
Sorry, he didn't blame Ortiz for getting plunked.  His entire conversation of the incident surrounded Ortiz using the term War when talking to the media.  He then went on to question when Ortiz will start getting called out for his actions, saying no player in baseball has as much drama surrounding him.  Funny enough, he failed to call out Price once.

Wow. Worse than I'd imagined!  Thanks

 

[bankshot1]

Wow
 
That Rays/Price duck all responsibility for that shit-show is unbelievable 

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

The way that game was called and then followed up with this baseless ruling it feels like MLB has a legitimate beef with the Red Sox organization.

 
While Workman getting suspended while Price hasn't been (yet) is a ridiculous followup to a ridiculously officiated game, jumping to conspiracy is a bit much.  I'm willing to wait a bit and hope that the Price suspension is forthcoming.

 

[MakMan44]

How did they even get to this result? It was POURING when the incident happened, how do you even determine intent?

 

[judyb]

Meanwhile Tampa Bay tweets that MLB does whatever the Red Sox want.

They have to prove they're protecting the poor little Tampa Rays from the Big Bad Red Sox by punishing little guy Brandon Workman and pretending superstar David Price did nothing wrong.

 

[OfTheCarmen]

1. Price hits batter
2. Price Warned
3. Both benches Warned
4. Price Hits batter

How this did not result in Price and Manager being ejected I still cannot fathom.
 
And now this....speechless.

 

[joe dokes]

I'm not terribly surprised that Workman got suspended, seeing as how he *did* throw behind Longoria's head.  But given Price's admissions, it is inconceivable that he didn't also. Unless there's another shoe to drop.  Perhaps a $43 fine.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

This is like, "NBA officiating" bad. I don't see how anyone can look at the pitch that Workman threw as anything but a pitch that slipped out of his hand. This is utterly ridiculous. I'll echo the statements that the game was one of the worst officiated games I've seen and it's remarkable that they're still paying for it.

 

[smastroyin]

I see Brendan Shanahan got a side gig to go along with his job with the Leafs.

 

[bankshot1]

Was this a Joe Torre ruling?

 

[joe dokes]

How did they even get to this result? It was POURING when the incident happened, how do you even determine intent?

 
The same was we did with Price. From all surrounding circumstances. Sure, there's a possibility the ball slipped.  But I dont think that's the likely cause. Sure, Price might have been trying to pitch inside. But I dont think that's the likely cause. You determine intent because you have to.

 

[soxhop411]

MLB is a joke.. 

 

[Jaylach]

I'm half tempted to tweet Price asking him who he's blowing inside the MLB HQ.. I would love to see another twitter meltdown (not that I have the power to start such a thing). 

 

[donutogre]

 

1. Price hits batter
2. Price Warned
3. Both benches Warned
4. Price Hits batter

How this did not result in Price and Manager being ejected I still cannot fathom.
 
And now this....speechless.
 

This is the crux of it for me. If you want to suspend Workman for his throw behind Longoria because you need to take a hard line on such things, fine. But acting like Price is blameless here is just insane. He should have been tossed immediately (not to retread old ground) — and if Workman deserves a suspension, so does Price.

 

[JohntheBaptist]

Yeah, I'm 100% ok with suspending Workman if they feel like they have to, but there is no way you can do it and not suspend Price. HE ADMITTED HE DID IT INTENTIONALLY!

 

[MakMan44]

 
The same was we did with Price. From all surrounding circumstances. Sure, there's a possibility the ball slipped.  But I dont think that's the likely cause. Sure, Price might have been trying to pitch inside. But I dont think that's the likely cause. You determine intent because you have to.

My post was, by and large, because I don't understand how they can determine intent there and give Price nothing. The other shoe may end up dropping but I'm not holding my breath. 

 

[joe dokes]

My post was, by and large, because I don't understand how they can determine intent there and give Price nothing. The other shoe may end up dropping but I'm not holding my breath. 

 
I agree. Its no more or less dificult to determine Price's intent than Workman's.
 
Was looking to see when they played next. Scheduling oddity.  They end April, May July, August and almost Sept (157-159) vs. TB.  Next up, at TB 7/25- 27.

 

[Bone Chips]

While Workman getting suspended while Price hasn't been (yet) is a ridiculous followup to a ridiculously officiated game, jumping to conspiracy is a bit much.  I'm willing to wait a bit and hope that the Price suspension is forthcoming.

Why would they not rule on Price at the same time? I'm not a big conspiracy guy either, but at this point I can't think of any rational reason for MLB's actions other than some sort of bias against the Red Sox.

 

[Average Reds]

This is like, "NBA officiating" bad. I don't see how anyone can look at the pitch that Workman threw as anything but a pitch that slipped out of his hand. This is utterly ridiculous. I'll echo the statements that the game was one of the worst officiated games I've seen and it's remarkable that they're still paying for it.

 
Jesus H. Christ, did I really take you off ignore for this?
 
I'll wait to pass judgment on whether this is an outrage or not when I see what MLB does to Price - if anything.  But to pretend that Workman had the ball slip from his fingers is to flaunt the fact that you are willfully obtuse.
 
Throwing behind a batter's head is about the worst thing a pitcher can do - certainly worse than plunking someone in the midsection like Price did to Papi.  A ball behind the head preys on the player's natural inclination to back up when he sees the ball coming at him.  This is how a player gets beaned and this sort of thing will always provoke a suspension.  Properly so.

 

[bankshot1]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/06/03/red-sox-pitcher-brandon-workman-suspended-fined/JGbwlVuMlP1MzVrkCB962K/story.html
 

MLB did not discipline Tampa Bay’s David Price, who started the incident in the first inning on Friday by hitting David Ortiz in the back with a fastball. Price essentially admitted his intent the next day when he indicated Ortiz was hit in retribution for a slow jog around the bases after he homered off Price in the playoffs last season.
 


 

 

[InsideTheParker]

Does anyone know an email address for the mlb office that administers this crap? Damn, it makes me want to boycott, but I can't stop watching the Sox. Nonetheless, I will never again buy any product advertised on mlbn or any game unless Price gets a suspension also.

 

[Average Reds]

Any citation for someone from the MLB office saying that Price is not going to face suspension?  The articles I've seen - including the link here - just make that assumption.
 
It's an absolute joke if Price avoids any punishment.  That doesn't mean Workman didn't deserve his.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Why would they not rule on Price at the same time? I'm not a big conspiracy guy either, but at this point I can't think of any rational reason for MLB's actions other than some sort of bias against the Red Sox.

 
Incompetence?  A poor understanding of the rules (see: incompetence)?

 

[OnWisc]

This appears pretty stupid on the part of MLB.  They have to know that this will do nothing but escalate things the next time these clubs meet, right?  I'm assuming there will be some behind the scenes communication, but really what can MLB threaten to do that will prevent the Sox from saying "enough is enough" and taking this all out on Tampa.
 
Through the actions of Price and the umpires, the Red Sox were placed in a uniquely ridiculous situation.  They offered a measured response that was far more restrained than what was actually warranted, and as a result are being punished further.  And the Rays, who couldn't leave well enough alone and basically admitted intent, continue to escape unscathed. 
 
When people complain about Longo catching a 95mph fastball in the back next time out, they'll need to remember that the Sox tried to be the grown-ups last time and paid the price for it.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Was Workman's pitch even a fastball? Sure had a lot of hump in it, looked more like a change up, but I don't remember. Price's most certainly was an intentional fastball that he threw right at Ortiz.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Any citation for someone from the MLB office saying that Price is not going to face suspension?  The articles I've seen - including the link here - just make that assumption.
 
It's an absolute joke if Price avoids any punishment.  That doesn't mean Workman didn't deserve his.

 
I'm pretty sure that suspensions stemming from a game/incident are generally meted out simultaneously. If nothing was announced along with Workman's, I think it's fair to assume that nothing else is coming.

 

[NWsoxophile]

Yeah, I'm 100% ok with suspending Workman if they feel like they have to, but there is no way you can do it and not suspend Price. HE ADMITTED HE DID IT INTENTIONALLY!

yes, yes, and yes.

 

[soxhop411]

Tim Britton ‏@TimBritton  21s
Ortiz also described the whole ordeal as "some punk-[expletive] [expletive]."

 

[soxhop411]

Tim Britton ‏@TimBritton  1m
Ortiz on Workman suspension: "I think the rules should be for everybody. We didn't start this."

 

[joe dokes]

Does anyone know an email address for the mlb office that administers this crap? Damn, it makes me want to boycott, but I can't stop watching the Sox. Nonetheless, I will never again buy any product advertised on mlbn or any game unless Price gets a suspension also.

 
 
You could call Bud:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/index.jsp

Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner

Address: 245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

City: New York, State: NY Zip Code: 10167

Phone: 212-931-7800

Fax: 212-949-5654

 

[Average Reds]

 
I'm pretty sure that suspensions stemming from a game/incident are generally meted out simultaneously. If nothing was announced along with Workman's, I think it's fair to assume that nothing else is coming.

 
As I said, if this is how it works, it's a joke that Price gets nothing.

 

[garlan5]

Not suspending Price is bullshit. The only thing I can see from MLB perspective is the media publicity from this.  The build up to the next series. Though they'll never admit that it is the only possible answer other than absolute incompetence regarding the situation

 

[AbbyNoho]

 
Jesus H. Christ, did I really take you off ignore for this?
 
I'll wait to pass judgment on whether this is an outrage or not when I see what MLB does to Price - if anything.  But to pretend that Workman had the ball slip from his fingers is to flaunt the fact that you are willfully obtuse.
 
Throwing behind a batter's head is about the worst thing a pitcher can do - certainly worse than plunking someone in the midsection like Price did to Papi.  A ball behind the head preys on the player's natural inclination to back up when he sees the ball coming at him.  This is how a player gets beaned and this sort of thing will always provoke a suspension.  Properly so.

 
This keeps getting repeated as fact, but you're intentionally leaving out that it was a breaking ball and, though it was high, it wasn't at his head. I just watched it again to be sure, it was much closer to his back than his head. You can get all holier-than-thou if you want, but don't criticize someone for being willfully obtuse and then doing the same. Workman wasn't headhunting.

 

[Jaylach]

Was Workman's pitch even a fastball? Sure had a lot of hump in it, looked more like a change up, but I don't remember. Price's most certainly was an intentional fastball that he threw right at Ortiz.

 

 
89MPH, so probably a change up? I don't know what Workman hits on his fastball off the top of my head.
 
EDIT - Averaging around 90MPH according to FG (See Mak's post below), so it's possible this was a fastball.. probably not a change up though