Yankees, Jays disciplined by MLB
Clemens, Torre receive suspensions; three Jays fined
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays and Yankees are going to have to pay for their actions after clearing the benches twice during a heated on-field incident on Tuesday night in Toronto.
On Thursday, Major League Baseball vice president of on-field operations Bob Watson handed out punishment to eight different parties, with Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens receiving the brunt of the penalties.
After both Toronto and New York were issued warnings by home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez on Tuesday, Clemens hit Toronto's Alex Rios in the back with a 1-0 pitch to lead off the seventh inning. As a result, Watson handed Clemens an undisclosed fine and suspended the 45-year-old pitcher for five games.
Clemens is scheduled to begin serving his suspension on Friday, when the Yankees begin a three-game series in Cleveland. If Clemens, who was immediately ejected after plunking Rios, decides to appeal the suspension, it will be postponed until the appeal process is complete.
Yankees manager Joe Torre, who was automatically ejected after Clemens intentionally hit Rios, was fined and suspended for one game by Watson. Torre is also scheduled to serve his suspension on Friday against the Indians.
For Toronto, pitcher Josh Towers, outfielder Matt Stairs and third-base coach Brian Butterfield were all fined by Watson for their roles in Tuesday's altercation. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, first-base coach Tony Pena and third-base coach Larry Bowa also received fines.
The incident began in the third inning, when Towers hit Rodriguez in the leg with two outs. Rodriguez, who was nearly struck by a pitch in the previous game, took exception to Towers' offering and began walking toward the mound. As the pitcher motioned for Rodriguez to take his base, the benches and bullpens cleared.
Later in the inning, the players and coaches stormed the field again when Towers, Rodriguez and Pena began yelling at each other. Stairs had to be restrained by a handful of Yankees near first base, but no punches were thrown during the nearly 15-minute confrontation.
The bad blood between the teams dates back to May 30, when Rodriguez was at the center of a controversial ninth-inning play at Rogers Centre. A-Rod shouted something as he ran between two Toronto infielders near third base, confusing the players, who let a popup fall to the ground for a single.
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:40 pm
