MLB yesterday fined and suspended 16 Dodgers players
and three coaches for a total of 84 games for their roles in
an altercation with fans at Wrigley Field on May 16,
according to Jason Reid of the L.A. TIMES, who notes that
these are the "harshest" penalties levied from one brawl in
league history. Both the Dodgers and the MLBPA are
appealing (L.A. TIMES, 5/25). In DC, Richard Justice writes
that the fines are another example of MLB's strict
discipline policy under new MLB VP/On-Field Operations Frank
Robinson: "Robinson promised not to tolerate unacceptable
behavior ... and he has backed up his words." Robinson:
"We're always criticizing fans for going onto the field
during a game. The same goes for players going into the
stands" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/25). Robinson explained his
decision by saying, "Baseball is trying to say this to the
players, 'Let's stop this right here before it gets worse.'
It doesn't belong in baseball. Fans don't come to the
ballpark to watch brawls on the field. They don't come to
the ballpark to be attacked. ... The players are going to
have to start to take charge for their own actions" ("TNSR,"
5/25). In L.A., Bill Plaschke: "Fans should stay in the
stands. Players should stay on the field. So simple. So
scary" (L.A. TIMES, 5/25). But in Chicago, Jay Mariotti
writes that Robinson "is blaming the players entirely and
kowtowing to the fans no matter how unruly their behavior"
(SUN-TIMES, 5/25). CBS SportsLine's Scott Miller: "To hear
Robinson talk, it sounds like players are stalking customers
every day. And that's where Robinson erred, ... in going
from reasonable to rash" (CBS SportsLine, 5/24).
HILL WANTS HIS RED SHOES: In Chicago, Mike Kiley writes
that Cubs OF Glenallen Hill was informed that MLB has
"banned" his "one-of-a-kind" red shoes from games. Hill
designed the shoes himself with Fila and had ten pairs of
red shoes and ten pairs of blue shoes for this season.
Hill: "[Frank Robinson] frigging told me I couldn't wear my
shoes anymore because they have too much red in them. ... It
is so petty." Kiley writes that the decision "is certain to
spark arguments about whether forcing conformity on athletes
at the expense of individuality is another sign of political
correctness stretched too far" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/25).
BUD OK: MLB Commissioner Bud Selig dismissed reports
that he postponed an owners meeting scheduled for June 13
and 14 because he didn't have the votes to approve his
realignment plan. Selig told Murray Chass of the N.Y.
TIMES, "I do have the votes." He said he postponed the
meeting "to explore other possible alignments and schedules
before making a final decision" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/25).
