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The big headline from Friday's MLB suspension ruling was that Nyjer Morgan got eight games for "three separate incidents" in the last week, the highest-profile of which was the brawl that started when Morgan charged the mound and punched Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad on Wednesday night.
But the Nationals ran up an impressive list of suspensions and fines outside of Morgan's punishment. Here they are:
-Third-base coach Pat Listach, the second member of the Nationals into the brawl after Morgan, will be suspended three games. That will start on Sunday, so as not to conflict with...
-Manager Jim Riggleman, who got a two-game suspension for "aggressive actions" after the brawl (I'm assuming that's referring to Riggleman's nose-to-nose confrontation with Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez, who got a one-game suspension and a fine). Riggleman was also fined for inappropriate comments about the brawl. I don't have any more specifics on which comments drew the fine, but the man levying it? Former Nationals manager Frank Robinson, who now works for MLB and has never been known to run from a fight himself. The Intimidator, now the Policeman? Oh, the irony.
-Reliever Doug Slaten also got a three-game suspension for throwing at Gaby Sanchez, who clotheslined Morgan during the brawl.
Put that all together, and the Nationals will have an interesting weekend on their hands in Pittsburgh. John McLaren will likely manage in Riggleman's absence. As for the roster? Well, it's a good thing it's September.
As for the Marlins, Volstad got six games for his role in the brawl, pitcher Alex Sanabia got five (games) for fighting (hockey pun intended), and Sanchez got three games. Pitcher Jose Veras was also fined.
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Don't understand why Sanchez only got 3; he was the only one who threw what could be considered a lethal punch; worth 7 at least. Also, why Rodriguez only got 1 game; he obviously ordered/permitted 4 beanies to Riggleman's 1 and he was jawing just as vigorously as Riggs. Did Frank's report carry major weight in the assessments?
Wake up, wake up lethargic and underachieving Nats! Wake up! Still a chance to get close to .500! There's your wake up call! Time to start playing with some fire in the belly ... the losing has to stop somewhere?
Souldrummer here-
First, wanted to say that I really appreciated your words to Brian at Natsfarm. Real classy. You're the only mainstream guy that I saw there and you get a lot of props from me for recognizing a blogger like Brian.
You don't get to a replace a guy on the roster who is suspended correct? Any word on if there will be any additional callups to replace somebody like Slaten?
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Thanks, Souldrummer. Brian does great work, and he's good people. Mainstream or not, that's worth recognizing.
As for the roster, they don't get to replace a player who is suspended, but in September, it shouldn't matter too much. They've got plenty of spots to burn with the 40-man roster, so if they need depth, they can get it. The only problem with that is, they'd have to put somebody on the 40-man roster if they were looking to get another outfielder. I think they'll be fine with what they have, though. With Balester here now, they've got enough arms to get by without Slaten. You'd like another lefty, but they can use Burnett and Clippard for that.
Ben
Big difference between out of control and aggressive. Nyjer seriously crossed the line. If he doesn't like trash talk from the customers, maybe he should take a break when the Nats next go to Philly or NY.
Volstad misses one start. You can't really give him more than Morgan got, even if he did plunk 3 guys and then threw behind Morgan (people keep forgetting the plunking of Nieves and...whoever else got plunked). They've gone a few days without having to use Slaten so he is okay. Rigs-okay, he's gone until Sunday (still wondering what the comments were). Eckstein can handle 3rd base for a few days. I think Gaby Sanchez should have gotten more though. Sure he was protecting his teammate, but that hit could have kept Morgan on the ground permanently. Morgan's head whipped back on that hit. He could have broken his neck or cracked his skull (with the way he landed).
Pat Listach deserves a hot fudge sundae from Giffords!
Morgan should accept this suspension and keep fighting the first one.
This is Swooned by June's chance to coach third base and show Listach how its done.
"but the man levying it? Former Nationals manager Frank Robinson"
-->I take it Robinson is ahead of Watson on the hierachy? The only other person than Watson(and Robinson when he was running it) decide a suspension or levy a fine was Selig with the Kenny Rodgers incident (the cameraman thing).
A bit suprised that Rodriguez didn't get more along with Sanchez. I thought Sanchez deserved the most on the Marlins after Volstad. Slaten's was just right after he was warned.
What aggressive actions did Riggleman have during the brawl and if so, why wasn't he ejected at that point? I know the umpires clearly missed Listach, but I think its a bit harder to miss the manager especially coming from the dugout.
Peric, they have 77 losses, I don't think DUDE this year.
Noticed that too souldrummer, major props to Ben for that.
"You don't get to a replace a guy on the roster who is suspended correct?"
-->I don't think so, the same question came up when Ty Wigginton was supsended last month for what turned out to be two games and the answer was no. I think if its a longer suspension its a possibility.
Not sure if you noticed, but they staggered the suspensions so Listach/Riggleman wouldn't be serving at the same time. Same thing with the Marlins pitchers.
"Volstad misses one start."
-->Well the important thing to remember while it might only be a start, he's losing the money he wouldve made.
"Pat Listach deserves a hot fudge sundae from Giffords!"
-->Maybe next homestand, the three of us can get Giffords since Listach won't be in the dugout.
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Hey, I want Giffords, too!
Ben
That was one of the best comments in the history of the Goose Gang.