Cole Hamels plunked Bryce Harper in the back on purpose on Sunday night on national television. He even said so. And MLB gave him a five-game suspension.
What is a five-game suspension? It's basically just a fine. Sure, a five-game suspension sounds like it's real punishment, but Hamels only plays every five or six days anyway.
So it really means that the Phillies have to juggle their rotation by one day. They might have to bring up a minor leaguer or a spot starter out of their bullpen for a day. Teams do that because of doubleheaders all the time. And when a player does get suspended, they usually appeal automatically, then the team picks a good time to take that suspension, when the bullpen isn't too taxed or some off days line up nicely or a couple of starters need an extra day of rest. It's a joke, and everybody sees through it.
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland hit it on the head when he was asked about Hamels and the suspension. From a Detroit News story:
"I think five games is way too light," Leyland said. "Personally, if I was making that vote, it would be a 15-game suspension -- at least.
"I don't know Cole Hamels, so I certainly don't have any qualms with Cole Hamels. I don't know the man. I know he's a very good pitcher, a very talented guy.
"If my pitcher went out and, almost in a braggadocious way, talked about hitting a guy and that 'I did it on purpose.' (a five-game suspension) is not enough. There's no way.
"You know, we're always talking about our game being cleaned up and doing the right things for our game in all areas, and I'm 100 percent for that. But this is a perfect time to show that we mean business."
"It becomes a joke. Let's tell it like it is."
Hamels won't appeal the suspension. And why should he? He'll still pitch on Sunday.
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