On Monday night, Jonathan Papelbon received word that he would be suspended seven games for his gesture made towards the fans after blowing a save on Sunday against the Marlins.
After Papelbon was ejected, he stormed the field and got in umpire Joe West's face. After 10-15 seconds of Papelbon yelling in his face, West grabbed Papelbon's jersey and pulled him out of the way. Umpires are restricted from laying their hands on players, so West was out line for his actions as well.
Since the Phillies closer got his suspension earlier this week, viewers wondered why West didn't get a fine or suspension yet. Today, Major League Baseball's Executive VP for Baseball Operations, Joe Torre, had this to say about the matter:
"Joe West handled himself appropriately in ejecting Papelbon after the player's lewd gesture to the fans. I fully understand that Joe was reacting to a player who was acting aggressively, and can understand his frustration with the situation. However, Joe knows that an umpire cannot initiate physical contact with a player, just as a player cannot initiate physical contact with an umpire. I spoke to Joe about the incident, and he admitted that there was a better way to handle the situation. I consider this matter closed."
Torre suspended West for one game without pay. He was assigned to work tonight's game between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in Florida.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
