Russ Springer Suspended for throwing at Barry Bonds
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Bill Jempty | Friday, May 19, 2006 |
From AP
NEW YORK – Houston pitcher Russ Springer was suspended for four games Friday after throwing several times at Barry Bonds and eventually hitting the San Francisco star earlier this week.
Astros manager Phil Garner was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball.
The strange sequence Tuesday began when Bonds led off the fifth inning of the Giants’ 14-3 win. Springer’s first pitch went behind the seven-time NL MVP’s back, drawing a warning from plate umpire Joe West.
The next three pitches all came inside, including one that hit Bonds’ bat handle for strike one. On the fifth pitch of the at-bat, Springer hit Bonds in the right shoulder. Springer and Garner were then ejected, and Bonds took his base without incident.
Bonds has hit 713 home runs, one shy of matching Babe Ruth for second place on the career list. Hank Aaron holds the record of 755, and many people believe Bonds’ accomplishments are tainted because of alleged steroids use.
Unless there is an appeal, Springer will begin serving his suspension Friday night when the Astros host the Texas Rangers. If he appeals, the suspension will be held up pending a hearing.
Springer’s suspension was predictable. MLB has had a record of suspending players for such conduct.
MLB suspension policies don’t make sense however. Kenny Rogers got suspended last year for 20 games for an incident with a cameraman. For a starting pitcher that comes out to five games at most. MLB pitchers pitch on four days rest at least. So Rogers penalty works out to almost the same as Springer’s. Who do you think was worse?
By the way I think there shouldn’t be any celebration for Bonds for besting Babe Ruth mark of 714. Ruth is the all-time homerun champ still in the AL with about 708 homeruns.(Sorry I don’t have the record books.) Ruth finished his career in the NL with the Boston Braves.
Next up for Bonds is Hank Aaron’s all-time NL mark of 733(approximately again). Aaron finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Too bad there isn’t a Pittsubrgh AL team for Bonds to finish with.
- Barry Bonds Hits 714th Homer, Ties Ruth
- Barry Bonds Hits No. 715, Passing Babe Ruth
- Mocking Barry Bonds
- Bonds Resumes Aaron Chase But Eyes Future
- Tampa Bay Rays acquire Reliever Russ Springer
- 22 Reasons Bonds Won’t Pass Aaron
- Al Downing Has No Regrets Over 715
- Columnist: Bonds is Finished
- Aaron Would Rather Golf Than Watch Bonds
- Who’s Greatest Home Run Hitter of All Time?
- Eight is Enough- Edmonton beats Chicago 8-4
- Lydia Ko wins New South Wales Open
- The Comeback I- Pittsburgh Penguins beat NY Islanders 5-0
- Seattle Mariners Outfielder Greg Halman stabbed to death at age 24
- Hee Young Park wins CME Titleholders Championship
- Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball Coach Kurt Budke dead at 50
- Costly mistake- Blackhawks waive Rostislav Olesz
- Manager Tony La Russa announces retirement
- Puck Drop- Florida Panthers start the 2011-12 NHL season
- 13-time PGA Tour winner Dave Hill dead at 74
Hey, we have enough trouble keeping our NL team making enough money so they don’t have to move.
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