Detroit Tigers’ Rodney to face suspension

Major League Baseball has given Detroit Tigers Closer, Fernando Rodney, a three game suspension for actions during a game last Friday night versus the Tamp Bay Rays. After almost blowing a late game lead, Rodney threw a baseball into the crowd that ricocheted off into the back of the press box. Thankfully no one was injured, but throwing things into the stands is not something the MLB can condone.

Rodney is trying to say that he was trying to throw the ball to some fans, but this seems clear that it was an act of frustration of Rodney’s part. There are many other ways to vent one’s frustration on the field of play without putting the fans in direct danger of an injury.

However this incident shows the weakness of the MLB to punish its players when the act out of line. Rodney was given a three game suspension and fined an undisclosed amount of money. While his suspension is due to start today, he has appealed the ruling and when be available to close the game today between the Tigers and the Kansas City Royals.

Worse than that though is the fact that once there is a ruling on his case, he will be able to retro active his suspension and since he didn’t play Saturday or Sunday he will really only be suspended for one game, if that. While this is not the worst thing that a player could have done, it is something that a player should be punished for.