AL President Gene Budig reduced the five-game suspensions of
Indians OF Albert Belle and P Julian Tavarez to three games
following their appeal. Budig, from a statement: Belle "did
cross the line and it was wrong. He not only threatened injury
to another player, but also led to the later disruption of the
game. ... After painstaking review, the league has determined
that a three-game suspension is more equitable" (AL). Belle's
suspension is scheduled to start on Friday, but could be delayed
as MLBPA Associate General Counsel Gene Orza plans to file a
grievance challenging Budig's decision and asking arbitrator
Nicholas Zumas to "stay the suspension pending a hearing and
ruling" (Murray Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 6/19). Belle's agent, Arn
Tellem, called the suspension "unjustified" and said Belle is
reviewing all options to challenge the ruling. But Indians GM
John Hart accepted the decision, adding "We've had our day in
court" (Hal Bodley, USA TODAY, 6/19). Orza said the decision
"raises serious questions about the authenticity and legitimacy
of the review process" (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON POST, 6/19). In
Akron, columnist Terry Pluto calls Budig a "wimp" for his
compromise. Budig "acted like a political hack pulling a gutless
compromise .... [the ruling is] vague and lame" (Akron BEACON
JOURNAL, 6/19).
HAVEN'T GOT TIME FOR THE PAIN: In Boston, Peter Gammons
examines the job facing new MLB Chief Marketing Officer Greg
Murphy. Gammons notes, "Murphy once sold the world on low-fat
Entenmann's ... and now has a far more difficult task: convincing
the world that baseball players aren't jerks." Gammons writes
for years, "too many players have considered the public a
necessary nuisance, and they have been aided and abetted by a
Players Association that wanted cash for a smile." Murphy said
he has already spoken with MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr and Marketing
Dir Judy Heeter and "they are on the same page" (BOSTON GLOBE,
6/18).
