AL President Gene Budig announced the league will not
suspend Indians OF Albert Belle for throwing baseballs at SI
photographer Tony Tomsic, but will make him undergo mandatory
professional counseling and work with a community service youth
program in Cleveland. Budig: "Albert Belle has a problem and the
American League has a problem" (AL). If Belle's behavior does
not become more acceptable, Budig said he "will suffer the
consequences," according to the Akron BEACON JOURNAL. Arn Tellem,
Belle's agent, was pleased with no suspension, but added he
didn't believe the community service item was "necessary."
Tellem: "Albert is one the most community-minded and charity-
minded people I know." Tellem said Budig acted only for the
media's sake: "The fans don't care. Other people in baseball
don't care. The only ones who care are in the media." The
BEACON JOURNAL's Sheldon Ocker notes that "interestingly, Budig's
statement does not contain a determination of guilt or innocence
in the matter." Belle has the right to appeal, but Tellem said
they haven't decided on their response (Akron BEACON JOURNAL,
5/17). This is the second time in less than three months that
Belle has been told to undergo counseling. Acting Commissioner
Bud Selig gave a similar punishment, along with a fine of
$50,000, after Belle's incident with NBC's Hannah Storm during
the World Series (Murray Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 5/17). Mark Maske of
the WASHINGTON POST notes sources that say Belle did not attend
any counseling meetings last time and that he didn't pay any of
his fine personally. Budig said he has received assurances from
Indians Owner Richard Jacobs and GM John Hart that Belle will
follow through (WASHINGTON POST, 5/17). Hart called the decision
"fair" (USA TODAY, 5/17).
MARGE MADNESS: Reds players responded to remarks by Owner
Marge Schott in the recent SI. Pitcher Mark Portugal, whom
Schott said "makes $3 million and he's not worth a damn," said
"[bleep] her, that stupid [bleep]. And tell her it's $4 million.
Something has to be done about her." Schott called Hal Morris
that "stupid, stupid man." Morris: "Maybe I am stupid. Stupid
for staying around here" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 5/17).
