Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended seven games and fined by Major League Baseball for making contact with an umpire and making a obscene gesture to the home crowd after being booed.
Papelbon released a statement via his agent concerning the suspension and in it he issued an apology to the Phillies’ fans.
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"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," Papelbon said. "If it was perceived in that manner, I sincerely apologize.”
After surrendering four runs in the ninth inning of the Phillies 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins, Papelbon appeared to grab his crotch area as a response to the home crowds’ boos. Umpire Joe West followed that by ejecting Papelbon for the gesture who then rushed over to get in a face-to-face argument with the umpire.
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West said that Papelbons’ actions have no place in baseball and that the gesture was the reason he was ejected. West also grabbed Papelbon by the jersey during the altercation in an attempt to get the closer away from him.
"The whole thing started because the fans booed him and he made an obscene gesture. He had no business doing that," West said Sunday. "He's got to be more professional than that. And that's why he was ejected.”
Papelbon is 37-for-41 in save chances this season and had covered 14 straight leading up to Sunday’s action. It is not known if West will receive any discipline for grabbing Papelbon.
[ESPN]
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