Joe Torre climbed back down the mountain after seeking wisdom from the oracle, doffed his robe, and then suspended Dodger Chase Utley for two games for his legal, but now called "violating", slide:
"However, after thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley's action warrants discipline. While I sincerely believe that Mr. Utley had no intention of injuring Ruben Tejada, and was attempting to help his Club in a critical situation, I believe his slide was in violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.09 (a)(13), which is designed to protect fielders from precisely this type of rolling block that occurs away from the base.Torre said: "I recognize that there has been much commentary and many questions regarding the unfortunate play in last night's game in which Ruben Tejada was injured. As I said after the game, the determination of whether a baserunner has intentionally interfered with a player attempting to turn a double play is left to the judgment of the Umpire on the field, and that judgment call is not subject to review. I should add that determining where to draw the line between an illegal slide and a legitimate hard play is an extremely difficult call for our Umpires.
Yep, MLB decides to Chase Utley now, after years of him pulling this same shit, because Joe Torre gets some heat. Unbelievable how capricious this is.
Utley, who had PH in both games, now will not be able to bring his .202 batting average to the plate in those key situations. I'm sure Don Mattingly is calling Eugenio Velez right now to see if he's available.
Meanwhile, Utley will appeal the "ruling."
20 comments:
Here is the rule that Torre sites copied from the mlb rule book:
(13) A preceding runner shall, in the umpire’s judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play;
And here is the comment that follows the rule:
Rule 5.09(a)(13) Comment (Rule 6.05(m) Comment): The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for delib- erate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this is an umpire’s judgment play.
Utley didn't leave the baseline and Torre is a weak man.
can't sleep. thinking about game 3 and how shit will go down if Utley wins his appeal which i think is highly probable. haven't heard a word from Commish Manfred about this ordeal. i wonder if Torre is his puppet.
This was set at 2 games so it could be appealed back to 1
Saxy seems to feel differently but I want Utley on my roster, Mendoza-like average and all. The potential for good things happening feels so much higher with him at bat than other guys on the roster (i'm looking at you, Joc)
I want his suspension to be overturned because it will create a pretty good situation for us. Utley was going to be a starter today because he has done pretty good against Harvey in the past. 6 for 18 with a double and HR. Harvey has also hit Utley 3 times in 21 plate appearances.
I have been trying to stay radio silent since word on this came down because I am so angry I'm not sure I can put words to paper. I'm hoping that this suspension will sufficiently piss off the team and light a fire in their bellies. I'm thinking fire like the one Gibby lit in Game 1. They need to answer this atrocious decision by that bitch Torre with their bats, pitching and defense. Settle it between the lines and take no prisoners.
I'll just ditto what all y'all already said.
Appeal won't be heard today. Chase is eligible.
Just wanted to get my thoughts on the whole sitch down somewhere:
-Takeout slides have been allowed and sometimes celebrated by MLB.
-Utley does it a lot. So do a lot of guys.
-The one he did Saturday was pretty awkward, but he didn't go out of the baseline.
-Tejada's positioning contributed to a freak injury. (Not blaming the victim, but it was a factor.)
-In addition to the injury, the situation was magnified by the Dodgers benefiting from a weird replay.
-Current and former players vilifying Utley is kinda horseshit.
-Fuck it, I'm embracing our new villain status.
Totally agree with you Nomo. Being a villain is more fun anyways. I hope Utley hits a bomb today, then gets beaned by Harvey who gets tossed from the game.
Well said, Gnomes, especially the "outrage" of anybody in the game. You can not like how the rule is applied/enforced but cant tell me you cared before Saturday night (unless maybe you are Pittsburgh/Kang affiliated)
If we're already the villain, may as well ride it.
No doubt it's a formidable cut of swinging sirloin
Beautifully said Gnomes. (9:38 not necessarily 10:16...I'm trying not to think about Chutley's dick)...
I blame McCourt. I always blame McCourt.
@Nomo 10:16
Just watched the replay again and I think you're right!
Man, Gnomes, you really got me thinking now.
About Chase's dick.
Like you weren't already...
Wash and cut yer hair, Colby Rasmus!
Is it rumble time yet?
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