Tino's suspension reduced

[IndyDevil]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0429/1546713.html

"I thought I did the right thing," Martinez said. "I have no regrets. The only bad thing is having to miss these games. I thought he ignited the whole thing."

I must be missing something here: Martinez charges the mound instead of returning to the dugout, starts a fight with Batista, and somehow comes away with a reduced suspension?? Sorry folks, but Martinez charging the mound should have been punished just as much as Batista's errant self-defense heave at Tino!!

Time to start making my plans to visit BOB around the end of September....it could be quite a show!!

 

[schillingfan]

I fail to understand how he could possibly rationalize charging the mound after he is out at second as the right thing. And I can't believe Watson the jerk reduced it. Creep. Cards and LoRussa can do no wrong for MLB.

 

[unc84steve]

Give me a break Tony "the lawyer" LaRussa:

"My only comment is (about) the perception fans get, because we had more guys fined, that the bad guys Sunday were the Cardinals," La Russa said. "It's the opposite. The bad guy was the Arizona guy [who] instigated the whole thing."

Batista was penalized for "inciting a bench-clearing incident, fighting and throwing a baseball at the head" of Martinez, who was cited by Watson for "charging the mound and fighting."

Tony LaRussa certainly cares about "the perception fans get." But who was "the bad guy"? Miguel! How did this "the Arizona guy instigate the whole thing?"

By hitting an aging mediocre LH firstbase glove specialist in a 1-0 game? Who was leading off the 5th? So Miguel could get kicked out before qualifying for the win. By hitting the leadoff man?

No it was because he STARED AT TINO. "That was, uh, so unprofessional." "Like he meant to do it." That's how you (to quote MLB), "incite a bench-clearing incident."

But it's VERY PROFESSIONAL after being forced out, to veer off toward the pitcher's back, instead of your dugout. Tino wasn't "inciting a bench-clearing incident." That's because Tony teaches his Cardinals to ask opposing pitchers about their poetry books. That reminded the other Cardinals that Miguel's book would make a great Easter or Mother's Day gift. They emerged (IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY) to arrange for an after-game book signing. The "bad guy" D'backs just misunderstood the PROFESSIONAL MANNERS of TONY'S BOYS.

But I know what really happened. Miguel said "Sure Tino. But first, sign this ball!"

 

[Chaz]

The D'backs should drill Martinez the first pitch when they play again. Just 'cause he is an ASS.