|
|
|
|
|
|
Vina Suspended For Touching Ump
April 28, 1999
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Fernando Vina will appeal a two-game suspension for putting a finger in umpire Mike Winters' face while arguing balls and strikes.
The incident developed last Friday when Vina disputed a called third strike in a game in Pittsburgh.
"He (Winters) told me, 'I suppose you're going to say it's my fault,' " Vina told reporters before the Brewers' game last night with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"He didn't have to say that," Vina said. "That charged me up, I was just going to walk away."
Instead, Vina said he stayed to argue some more and had some minor physical contact, apparently touching Winters' cheek. He was ejected.
The National League said Vina was being suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for excessive arguing of balls and strikes and for contact with the umpire.
While not wanting to comment on the Vina incident specifically, Milwaukee manager Phil Garner said problems between umpires and players have been on the rise in recent years.
"It's been two-fold in this escalation of warfare," Garner said. "I think the players have shown a more angry, a more bitter (type of) argument and the umpires have not been willing to walk away for a few moments to let things cool off."
Garner said both sides should work to cool things down in their daily interactions.
"I think it's best when umpires avoid the confrontation. The umpire has to put himself above these things," he said.
"I think players would be wise not to argue over a ball and strike like it's the end of the world," he added.
Associated Press
|
| |
