Jonathan Papelbon came into last night's game with a 4-1 lead. The Phillies closer gave up four runs in the loss to Miami. While going back to the dugout, Papelbon was showered with boo's from fans and as you see in the picture above, he made a gesture he described as an "adjustment".
Jonathan Papelbon will pay dearly for his action in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins. Perhaps it was partially the "adjustment" and the argument with umpire Joe West, but Ken Giles will have a full week as the Phillies' closer.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports:
- Papelbon has received a seven-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his actions following the top of the ninth inning of the Sunday.
- Earlier today, Zolecki tweeted that Papelbon was not speaking on the manner:
- Papelbon said he would love to talk, but he can't. It sure sounds like something is going on. #adjustmentgate
- Zolecki reports that the Phillies issued a statement fully supporting the ruling.
It does not make sense for Papelbon to appeal a ruling for the out-of-contention Phillies. With only a handful of games left, any appeal could last into next season and cost the Phillies some wins when they have a chance (in theory) for playoff contention. Further, expanded rosters give the Phillies more arms right now.
The Phillies released a brief statement that ended with this:
"We apologize to our fans for the actions of our player yesterday.”
Here is MLB.com's video of Papelbon's ejection…
UPDATE: Papelbon’s agents later issued a statement from the closer, which read (via The Zo Zone),
“I am accepting my suspension and regret making any contact with the umpires. While I completely understand how the fans would perceive my gesture while being booed, it was not my intent whatsoever to insult the fans of Philadelphia. If it was perceived in that manner, I sincerely apologize. … I look forward to returning this season and closing it out strong. For those reasons, I will not delay this process with an appeal.”
Meanwhile, before all of this happened, Phillies manager, Ryne Sandberg met with Papelbon and said the closer was sticking to his story (via Phillies.com). As you can see, the Phillies skipper doesn't show much support for the "act", saying it is not his position to believe him.
"That's not my job or position to believe him," Sandberg said. "As we are right now, he's our closer. … All I can base it on is what he told me and he had no intentions of that being toward the fans. It's not my position or my spot to make any judgment on that, but just to listen to him."
Does he at least understand why fans are upset?
"Well, I could understand the perception and he indicated to me that he understood the perception also and he thought that was unfortunate," Sandberg said. "But yes, I do understand the perception. From him it was poor timing. He'd have much rather waited to get in the dugout. He indicated that to me. That was basically our conversation."
With Papelbon nearly untradeable and the Phillies supporting MLB's decision on the suspension, one has to wonder what the next page holds in the Jonthan Papelbon story here in Philadelphia.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
