OT: Beckett suspended for 6 games by MLB

[LittleOzzy]

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.

Beckett also was cited for “aggressive actions” after the pitch that led to the benches clearing Sunday, according to Bob Watson, vice president for discipline in the commissioner’s office.

If Beckett appeals, any penalties would be delayed until after a hearing.

Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher was suspended for one game and fined, and he was to serve the penalty Tuesday night. In addition, Watson fined Angels manager Mike Scioscia and players Torii Hunter and Justin Speier.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl ... &type=lgns

It didn't take long for MLB to give out the first suspension this season.

[Ong_dynasty]

since he is a starting pitcher..
isnt this pretty much just a one-game suspension?!

[evilRyu]

yeah i'm always confused as to the definition of a "game" in regards to a suspension of a pitcher... does this mean that if a pitcher was never on the DL during the season, then that pitcher was in 162 games?

Also, I know this will mess up the rotation, but teams can just go around the suspension by penciling in the pitcher to pitch immediately after the suspension ends, so the pitcher barely skipped a start? I know this won't be applied by managers (it'll mess up the timing for the rest of the staff), but just a hypothetical

[BasketballAbyss]

Well, because he's a pitcher, it really just equates to 1 start. But at the same time, one would think that it really isn't much of a suspension because Beckett was going to have 5 days off before his next start anyways. I guess it's six games to actually make Boston feel the consequence of the suspension by putting a spot starter in for Beckett's regular start...but it really doesn't make Beckett lose a start. He'll just start as soon as his suspension is done and the Sox will fix up their rotation schedule when they get an off day.

Edits: A lot of typos lol.

[LittleOzzy]

It's more about the money he'll lose from games missed than actual games missed pitching I think.

[SportsWorld]

It would only be 1 game because he's a pitcher but he's probably going to appeal this meaning he may not miss any starts. MLB likes to make their suspensions longer than most sports because they know the players are bound to appeal it.

[J-Roc]

But appeals just drag the start date on. He might as well sit one start now and get it over with.