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March 14, 2008

Watson Does It Again - Melky Suspended

Via the AP -

Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera and first baseman Shelley Duncan were suspended for three games each for their roles in Wednesday's spring-training fracas between New York and the Tampa Bay Rays.

In announcing a three-game suspension for the Yankees' Shelley Duncan, Major League Baseball called his actions -- including this takeout slide -- "violent and reckless."

Tampa outfielder Jonny Gomes was suspended for two games Friday. All three players were fined along with Yankees manager Joe Girardi, third-base coach Bobby Meacham and hitting coach Kevin Long.

The suspensions, unless appealed, will start at the beginning of the regular season.

Both Duncan and Gomes were ejected from the game in question. Melky Cabrera was not ejected. So, how in the name of Sam Hill does Melky get a three-game suspension, like Duncan, and one more game than Gomes, when the umpires didn't think it was warranted that Cabrera was ejected from the game?

This is just flat out wrong.

Back in 2004, Watson did this to the Yankees as well. He suspended Tanyon Sturtze for three games when the umpires never threw Sturtze out of the game in question (at Fenway).

Forget about George Mitchell potentially favoring the Red Sox. Instead, baseball needs to look at Bob Watson continually grinding an axe with his ex-employers, the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 14, 2008 03:07 PM

Comments

Apparently they saw videotape of Melky punching Longoria in the back of the head. If that's the case, I guess a suspension of some sort is justified.

What doesn't make sense, however, is Melky getting three games when Gomes only got two. Regardless of Duncan's actions as the potential instigator, Gomes made the first retaliatory action. So Melky's punch came in response to the benches clearing -- an event which only took place AFTER Gomes charged at Duncan.

Watson definitely should be called out for this but I'm sure no one will. It's just another example of the Yankees' true enemies residing at 245 Park Avenue, not 1 Yawkey Way.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 03:49 PM

You site two examples where both players were seen throwing punches after reviewing tape of the incident. How is this "Watson grinding an ax with the Yankees"? By all accounts he left on his own. They didn't fire him. Why would he have an ax to grind?

Posted by: Rich M [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 03:53 PM

What doesn't make sense, however, is Melky getting three games when Gomes only got two. Regardless of Duncan's actions as the potential instigator, Gomes made the first retaliatory action. So Melky's punch came in response to the benches clearing -- an event which only took place AFTER Gomes charged at Duncan.
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Why did Melky throw a punch? Did Longoria take a swing at him?

Maybe he got an extra game because he wasn't a direct participant (Duncan-Gomes)? I dunno.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 04:01 PM

~~~You site two examples where both players were seen throwing punches after reviewing tape of the incident. How is this "Watson grinding an ax with the Yankees"? By all accounts he left on his own. They didn't fire him. Why would he have an ax to grind?~~~

Watson felt like the Yankees worked him to death. Sure, he quit. But, he quit because of the way he felt he was being squeezed in New York.
As far as the tape review, that’s fine. But, I find it hard to believe that Tanyon and Melky were the only guys on those two tapes being caught in the scrum. If you’re going to go after guys for being on tape, then do it to everyone with a fist up in the air. But, Watson’s not doing that here.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 04:22 PM

Maybe he got an extra game because he wasn't a direct participant (Duncan-Gomes)? I dunno.

This makes no sense. Gomes wasn't a direct participant until he decided to tackle Duncan from behind, instigating the bench clearing brawl. Under your logic, shouldn't Gomes get a game more than Duncan?

Posted by: Nettles vs. Lee [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 05:06 PM

This makes no sense. Gomes wasn't a direct participant until he decided to tackle Duncan from behind, instigating the bench clearing brawl. Under your logic, shouldn't Gomes get a game more than Duncan?
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Gomes was reacting to Duncan. It was Duncan & Gomes that were separated/restrained. If Iwamura reacted instead of Gomes, maybe he gets the suspension instead?

Not sure where Melky fits into this. Did Longoria take a swipe at him?

And if it were part of Watson's agenda, why weren't Meacham & Long suspended as well? They were ejected from the game?

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 05:44 PM

But Gomes had no more reason to react than Melky did. Duncan wasn't doing anything to Iwamura. He was sitting on the ground.

Posted by: Nettles vs. Lee [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 06:04 PM

Gomes should have gotten at least 3 games also. shelley didn't 'incite' the brawl, Gomes did by trying to tackle him. ridiculous 'justice' from Watson.

Posted by: Travis G. [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 11:03 PM

Duncan went spikes high into 2b, did you guys not see that?

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 14, 2008 11:24 PM