MLB has suspended Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster for five games for plunking Alex Rodriguez on Sunday night. Dempster, who was not ejected from the game, has also been fined an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspension begins immediately assuming Dempster doesn’t appeal. Dempster was scheduled to pitch on Saturday night against the Dodgers. With two off days coming up, Dempster will most likely pitch next one week from tonight when the Red Sox return from their West Coast trip to face the Baltimore Orioles.
According to long time Canadian sportswriter Wayne Scanlan, Dempster hit A-Rod because he snubbed him at a public event. So Dempster responds to a brush off with a brush back? Perhaps A-Rod should snub pitchers at public events more often.
I would rather have seen Dempster be suspended 10 games so he would miss meaningful time. Also Dempster isn’t exactly reminding anyone of Cy Young these days. In 25 starts this season, Dempster is 6-9 with a 4.77 ERA. I’d rather see Brandon Workman or Drake Britton be given a chance to start.
Here’s what I wrote about L’Affaire A-Rod. The only thing I wish I had added to it was Red Sox manager John Farrell’s “he was trying to establish his fastball on the inside part of the plate” defense of Dempster. If Jay Carney ever decides to leave his post, Farrell might have a future in the Obama White House.