min0 lee

It was definitly intentional.
The Red Sox W-L record cracks me up even more.

soxmuscle

So you think he was trying to hit Abreu in the head? Haha.

You're not allowed to make fun of the record, Iain sure. Not when the Yanks are only a game up on the Sox right now...

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

min0 lee

I didn't see the throw, do you have a link.

soxmuscle

YouTube Video

He was in the middle of the wind up when the umpire stood up and while Abreu may have muttered it, he didn't leave the batters box nor did he put up his hand to signal time.

I'm fine with the fines, but if I'm in charge, (even Yankees) I would have a hard time suspending anybody unless the situation got completely out of hand like the Pistons/Pacers game a while back.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

min0 lee

Why throw at his head?

soxmuscle

Ha

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

min0 lee

5 games is harsh, but to think that he gave him so much time because he is a Yankee is a bit loony.
He may have more of an allegiance to the Astros than the Yankees.

min0 lee

Throw at a jerk, he's now gone but he was a good guy while he was here and in Phillie.
Beckett is an ass.

soxmuscle

Loony? My foot.

2003: Red Sox-Yankees ALCS
On 10/12/03, tempers flared after the longtime rivals exchange beanballs in the 4th inning of ALCS Game 3 at Fenway Park. Pedro Martinez hit Karim Garcia in the shoulder with a pitch in the top of the inning. In the bottom half, Manny Ramirez took umbrage at a high fastball from Roger Clemens, barking at him and taking several steps toward the mound with bat in hand. As the benches cleared, Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer headed straight for Martinez, who was in front of Boston's dugout, and attacked him. Pedro sidestepped Zimmer, who lost his balance and toppled over, though replays suggested Martinez had pushed him down. Watson fined Martinez ($50,000), Ramirez ($25,000), Garcia ($10,000) and Zimmer ($5,000), but exonerated Clemens. Zimmer fought back tears while issuing an apology through the media prior to Game 4:
"I'm embarrassed at what happened. I'm embarrassed for the Yankees‚ the Red Sox‚ the fans‚ the umpires and my family." Watson took no action against Garcia or Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson for what Boston police described as an "unprovoked attack" on a Sox grounds crew member who was stationed in the bullpen. Yankees president Randy Levine demanded an apology from the Red Sox for a lack of security in the outfield seats, prompting derision from Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino:
"I think that once again, perhaps an incomplete knowledge of the facts, if I can put it diplomatically, might be at the root of Mr. Levine's comments," Lucchino said. "But we'll leave it to Major League Baseball to address the inflammatory comments."

2004: A-Rod vs Tek
On 7/24/04, benches cleared at Fenway after Bronson Arroyo hit Alex Rodriguez in the left arm with an inside pitch. Rodriguez barked at Arroyo while slowly making his way to first base, then veered left off the baseline and toward the mound. When Jason Varitek stepped between them the third baseman redirected his anger toward Boston's catcher. The pair converged, with Rodriguez lunging his arms toward Varitek's head while the Sox' captain shoved his mitt into the face of his adversary. In the ensuiwng melee, Yankees pitcher Tanyon Sturtze pulled Gabe Kapler from the scrum in a choke hold, prompting Trot Nixon and David Ortiz to rush to Kapler's defense and restrain Sturtze. Umpires ejected Varitek, Kapler, Rodriguez, and New York's Kenny Lofton.
Watson doled out penalties to Varitek (4 games/$2,000), Kapler (3 games/$1,000), Nixon (3 games/$1,000), Curt Schilling ($500) and Ortiz ($500). Yankees penalized included Rodriguez (4 games/$2,000), Sturtze (3 games/$1,000) and Lofton ($500).

2007: The Francona Rule
Late in the season, at Watson's direction, MLB mandated that managers could no longer wear a team pullover instead of a uniform jersey top or jacket. The controversy stemmed from an August 29, 2007 incident in which an MLB representative was sent into the Red Sox dugout in the middle of a game at Yankee Stadium to verify that Red Sox manager Terry Francona was wearing the proper attire. Francona had donned the loose-fitting fleece pullovers instead of more constrictive clothing due to circulatory issues. The intrusion came in the bottom of the second inning with the Yankees batting and Derek Jeter on second base. Francona's spoke to reporters after the game:

"Unless that [expletive] RSA can keep Jeter close, he needs to stay out of the dugout," Francona said. "That was about as embarrassed as I've been in a long time for baseball."

Later, Watson himself entered the dugout to address the matter with Francona:

"Get out of the dugout during the game," Francona firmly told Watson, who left.

The loose-fitting pullover worn by Terry Francona is officially licensed MLB apparel, but is considered a "nightshirt" (and illegal attire for managers and coaches) by MLB Vice President Bob Watson.


During the postgame press conference, Francona expanded on his answers:
"I've never seen anything like that before in my life," he said. "Middle of the game you've got the fashion police. This is incredible. He made me show him [the jersey]. I was sort of in a hurry because I thought Jeter was going to steal third. I was trying to do my job. "I didn't ask to appeal. I think the cursing I did to the guy going up the tunnel was probably appeal enough." The next day, an MLB public relations staffer attempted to minimize the issue:
"We just wanted to enforce what is stipulated in the uniform regulations that apply to players, managers, and coaches," MLB spokesman Mike Teevan wrote in an e-mail. "The regulations state that the jersey has to be worn at all times during a game. We try to enforce the rule across the board, so the issue has not been limited to Terry, although we have discussed it with him before. "The timing was an issue, and it's something we will avoid going forward." While Watson did not comment on the matter, his superior at MLB voiced his understanding of Francona's objections:
"Terry got upset, and he was within his rights to be upset," MLB executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon told ESPN.com. "He's in the middle of a game and he has a lot of things on his mind, and the agent should have shown a little better judgment by waiting until there was no action. The timing was unfortunate. And it will not happen again." Three months passed before Watson issued MLB's edict in choice terms:
"There's going to be, for lack of a better term, a Francona Rule,” Watson said. “You can only wear your uniform top or jacket. You can't wear your nightshirt, or whatever it is. You can wear it before games, or after games, but not during games. You have to have your uniform top at all times." Other incidents involving Watson and the Red Sox:

• Suspended Trot Nixon (4 games/$2,000) and Frank Castillo (4 games/$1,500) for their roles in a 5/5/02 incident against the Devil Rays. Nixon was accused of intentionally flinging his bat toward pitcher Ryan Rupe, who had hit Nomar Garciaparra and Shea Hillenbrand with pitches earlier in the 1st inning. Castillo was cited for intentionally hitting Randy Winn with a pitch in the top of the 4th. Before issuing his edict, Watson consulted with Devil Rays manager Hal McRae but not Grady Little.

• Suspended Frank Castillo (5 games) for making physical contact with third base umpire Bill Welke, who had called a balk just before Castillo yielded a run-scoring double against the Padres in San Diego on 6/19/02. Castillo then yelled "That's your [expletive] run" at Welke, prompting the umpire to eject him. Castillo charged the umpire and then inadvertently stepped on his foot. The penalty doled out by Watson contrasts starkly with the handling of Alex Rodriguez (then with the Rangers), who was ejected after inadvertently contacting an umpire the previous month but faced no suspension.

• Fined Frank Castillo ($750) for a 7/18/02 incident against the Devil Rays in Tampa Bay. It began when Tampa Bay's Tanyon Sturtze hit Manny Ramirez, who'd homered and doubled the day before, in the back with a first-inning pitch. Castillo retaliated by plunking Brent Abernathy in the shoulder with one out in the third, prompting warnings to both benches. With two outs in the 9th, Esteban Yan uncorked a fastball into Ramirez's shoulder, hitting him just under his chin. Sox players jumped to the top step of the dugout, with several shouting at Yan and his Tampa Bay teammates. Umpire Tim Welke then ejected Yan and Devil Rays manager Hal McRae. Watson also fined Sturtze $750, but imposed no penalty whatsoever on Yan. Upon receiving word that Yan had been spared the rod, Castillo unleashed his venom on Watson:

"This time it's [expletive] ridiculous," Castillo said. "The [expletive] guy who is doing this, he must have it in for me or something because it's a [expletive] joke. That's outrageous. The [expletive] guy is a [expletive] idiot."

• Fined Pedro Martinez ($1,000) for hitting Tampa Bay's Ben Grieve in the back with a pitch on 7/25/02 at Fenway Park. Pedro alleged he was fined for refusing Watson's request to publicly state that the pitch was accidental:

"Bob Watson wanted me to say I didn't do it on purpose," Martinez said. "He wanted me to lie to you guys. He wanted to make me look like a fool, and I'm not. Imagine Bob Watson doing the same thing I did and then saying, 'Oh, no, the ball slipped out of my hands.'" "I'm the most watched guy by the umpires. It's not the other team. Nobody complains, just the umpires and the league. I don't know who in the league is watching me so closely. They don't like my pants and they don't like my jersey."

• Suspended Derek Lowe (5 games), Jason Varitek (4 games), Rey Sanchez (3 games) and pitching coach Tony Cloninger (2 games) while fining Shea Hillenbrand, Carlos Baerga, Doug Mirabelli, and Ugueth Urbina $500 apiece for their actions in a 7/27/02 brawl with the Orioles at Fenway Park. Manager Grady Little was fined $1,000 for telling reporters after the game that his team would continue to retaliate vigorously in beanball wars. Watson also suspends Baltimore's Willis Roberts (7 games) and Mevin Mora (4 games) while issuing $500 fines to Gary Matthews Jr. and fellow Orioles David Segui, Jeff Conine and Rodrigo Lopez. The fracas began after Lowe plunked Matthews on the hip in the 4th inning as retribution for Oriole starter Scott Erickson hitting Manny Ramirez on the shoulder with a pitch the previous inning. The benches cleared after Lowe made a derogatory comment to Matthews, prompting Matthews to charge the mound from first base. Umpires ejected Matthews, Cloninger, and Roberts. Sox pitcher Willie Banks suffered a minor right thumb injury while restraining Erickson, and Baltimore's Brook Fordyce sustained a bloody nose while scuffling with Cloninger. Erickson was not disciplined in any way for itting Ramirez or for his role in the melee.

• Ordered Mike Timlin in April 2003 to cease and desist from wearing a camouflage T-shirt beneath his uniform, a gesture Timlin said was a show of support for the US armed forces in Iraq. Timlin said he would ignore Watson's edict:

"Bob Watson told me I couldn't wear camouflage out there," he said. "But it will always be on me when I'm pitching. You guys might not be able to see it, but it'll be there. "You get used to a shirt and guys have superstitions, but this is a little bit of a support for the American troops over there. They're doing way more in the world than I am when I'm playing baseball. Really, what we're doing is insignificant to what they're doing right now."

• Suspended Grady Little (1 game) and fined him an undisclosed amount for a 6/27/03 incident. Little was ejected during Boston's 25-8 blowout of the Marlins after Hector Almonte threw behind Florida's Andy Fox in the 9th inning. Umpires had already issued warnings to both dugouts after Florida's Blaine Neal hit David Ortiz with a pitch in the 9th. Served without appeal.

• Suspended David Ortiz (5 games/$250) following a 7/16/04 incident against the Angels at Fenway Park. In the course of arguing a call, Ortiz pushed Terry Francona into home plate umpire Matt Hollowell and was ejected. He then threw bats from the dugout onto the field, narrowly missing two other umpires. More here.

• Took no action against the Yankees' Gary Sheffield following a 4/14/05 incident at Fenway Park involving two Fenway Park fans who interfered with his attempt to field a ball hit down the right field line.

• Suspended Red Sox coach Ron Jackson and fined him an undisclosed amount for "excessive arguing" for leaving the dugout during an umpiring dispute on 4/14/05 at Fenway Park. Also fined Terry Francona for criticizing plate umpire Greg Gibson at his postgame press conference. Jackson did not appeal because there is no such process for coaches.

• Suspended and/or fined Bronson Arroyo (6 games), Trot Nixon (2 games/$3,000), Terry Francona (3 games/$3,000) and David Ortiz ($500) in the wake of a 4/24/05 bench-clearing brawl with the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field. Four members of the Devil Rays were also fined and suspended; manager Lou Piniella had his fine reduced from $3,000 to $2,500 after speaking with MLB Director of Administration John McHale. Francona later questioned the fairness of the penalties meted out, while Nixon later questioned why MLB delayed for several weeks enforcement of the penalties assessed to Tampa Bay pitcher Dewon Brazelton.

• Took no action against Terry Francona after he was ejected along with Cardinals manager Tony Larussa after a string of hit batsmen on both sides during a 6/7/05 game in St. Louis.

• Suspended David Wells 6 games and fined him $2,500 for his actions in a 7/2/05 game at Fenway Park in which he waved his glove in disgust at plate umpire Larry Poncino, then turned his back to him and uttered profanity as Poncino returned to the plate, only to have second base umpire Chris Guccione toss him from the game. [Upheld on appeal].

• Suspended Julian Tavarez 10 regular season days (not games) for his role in a 3/27/06 preseason brawl. It began when Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright was tagged out by Tavarez after being caught in a rundown between third base and home place, and escalated to Tavarez striking Gathright with his fists (photo sequence here. Served without appeal.

• Met with Terry Francona on 3/31/06 to address an incident on 3/26/06 in which Josh Beckett had a verbal altercation with Ryan Howard of the Phillies during an exhibition game after the pitcher accused the slugger of showboating with a slow trot around the bases after homering. No suspensions or fines were issued.

• Met with David Ortiz in Philadelphia on 3/31/06 to discuss concerns over inconsistent calling of balls and strikes by home plate umpires.

• Suspended Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain two games and fined him $1,000 for "inappropriate actions" that involved throwing a pitch over the head of Kevin Youkilis at Yankee Stadium on 8/30/07. Served without appeal.

• Suspended Coco Crisp 7 games for charging the mound after being hit by a pitch thrown by Tampa Bay's James Shields on 6/5/08. Reduced to 5 games on appeal. Also suspended were Jon Lester (5 games) and Sean Casey (3 games); neither appealed.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

soxmuscle

^ Thanks for making me read that in full, Min0.

Some of the stuff that has been done in the past is pretty remarkable.

It's one thing to make an MVP prediction about a guy who's had seven straight MVP caliber seasons and then hurts his wrist last year and is finally healthy heading into this season, it's another thing to be blatantly wrong with your facts.

I love you, but your Yankee jerking off and Red Sox hatred is far worse than the opposite of mine.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

soxmuscle

I've always liked Abreu as a player.

Don't know much about him personally, but he always seems to have a smile on his face.

Calling Beckett an ass over that? Yikes.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

IainDaniel

Your on crack if you think he didn't deserve a suspension.

Was it for throwing the ball at abreu....no

It was for instigating the whole thing. Yipping and walking off the mound towards the batter.

And it needed to be a 6 game suspension so he would miss at least 1 start.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

Michael Jordan

soxmuscle

The MLB statement:

Boston pitcher Josh Beckett has been suspended for six games and fined by Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

IainDaniel

I don't care what MLB is stating.... he deserved the suspension.

Just shut his mouth and pitch.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

Michael Jordan

soxmuscle

Watch the video.

Abreu says something, throws his arms up in the air and is about to charge after him when the umpire gets in his way.

Beckett walks over, the LA bench is ready to pounce (most notably Torii Hunter).

Beckett stops walking towards him and stands a good five feet away from him and the benches clear.

This should have been a non-issue and would have been if Bob Watson wasn't the one in charge.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

IainDaniel

Video was taken down by MLB

I saw no motion from Abreu.... I saw the umpire react like they would anytime a batter was thrown at by getting in between a batter and pitcher.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

Michael Jordan

soxmuscle

Same should be said for Abreu.

Shut up and hit.

Or if you're going to call time, actually step out of the box and/or throw up your hand to warn the pitcher.

That, or expect when he stops halfway through his motion for the ball to be thrown wildly.

He did neither of these things. Instead, he flailed his arms, shouted at Beckett and tried to approach the mound before the umpire behind home plate got in his way.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

soxmuscle

It's all over MLB dot com and Redsox dot com.

The umpire did his job, absolutely. That said, Abreu flailed his arms as he shouted something at Beckett and tried to advance towards the mound.

For the record, I don't think Abreu or anybody on the Angels should have been suspended.

I just happen to think Beckett got screwed here and the evidence from past incidents proves that.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

min0 lee

[quote=soxmuscle;1886502]^ Thanks for making me read that in full, Min0.

Sorry but I don't hate the Red Sox.....maybe Curt, it's the fans who get all bitchy about things.
I remember that like it was yesterday and if you ever look at the pitch you'll notice it wasn't even close.
Go look at it, it's just Manny being Manny and looking for attention.

min0 lee

Your kidding right? Only person he asks is the umpire.
Sheezh, he I was pitching and he asked me for timeout I would bean him myself. Fag.

soxmuscle

That's not the point, Min0.

This kind of shit happens on a regular basis. A player calls time halfway through his wind up, the umpire awards him the timeout, the pitcher tries to stop his motion and the ball goes to a place he didn't want it to go.

Don't flail your arms around and shout at the pitcher when that happens or if you do expect the person your trying to instigate shit with to approach you.

If this was little league and their was an umpire at the pitchers mound and not behind the plate, Beckett is the one who's stopped in his tracks and Abreu is the "ass" as you called him.

In that scenario, Abreu doesn't get suspended 6 games, 3 games or even 1 game. The likeliness of a fine is also low and even if their was one, Abreu has accumulated over $92 million dollars in per year MLB salaries alone and should have no problem giving a couple thousand to the league.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

soxmuscle

[quote=min0 lee;1886539]You may not hate the Red Sox, but your Yankee bias is second to none.

That pitch was in a similar spot to the Beckett/Abreu pitch the other day.

Manny overreacted, just like Abreu did. Beckett reacted just like Roger did.

The situations are actually quite similar.

Age: 20 | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 150 lbs | Penis: 12 inches

IainDaniel

I have no problem with the pitch being thrown at abreu.... that is part of the game in my book.

Sure no Angels got suspended....they lost 4 players that game. If Beckett got tossed like he should have, then there would have been no suspension.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

Michael Jordan

I Are Baboon

5 ER in 1 inning for Dice-K. Nice pop up by Ortiz with the bases loaded in the 10th. Seriously, get him the hell out of the three slot NOW.

I am not worried about the Red Sox, just frustrated.

min0 lee

[quote=soxmuscle;1886570]Bullshit! Look at the film, it wasn't even close.

I don't like Clemson at all but that pitch he threw to Manny didn't even go over his head.

I am a baseball fan first, Met second and Yankee third. Surprised aren't you?

min0 lee

I Are Baboon

Tim Wakefield > CC Sabathia (aka fatass)

I Are Baboon

The WBC can fuck itself.

min0 lee

Burnett > Tim Wakefield > CC Sabathia (aka fatass)

I Are Baboon

That was a huge performance by Wake today though. The Sox bullpen was tired and we needed a good performance. Can't say we expected a complete game from Wakefield!