MLB Needs To Suspend Or Fine Ryan Dempster For Throwing At Alex Rodriguez


Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Leave it to Sunday Night Baseball, featuring the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, to cause fireworks at Fenway Park.

With Alex Rodriguez up in the top of the second, Red Sox starter Ryan Dempster threw a pitch behind him. The next two pitches were high and tight and on the fourth pitch of the at-bat Dempster plunked Rodriguez on the shoulder. It immediately issued warnings to both benches.

This sparked Yankees manager Joe Girardi to come out of the dugout like a cannon. The umpire immediately threw him out.

Dempster’s pitches were clearly intentional. His first pitch, which he threw behind Rodriguez, was more than enough to send a statement to Rodriguez. The plunking did not need to happen. It is clear that Dempster is not a fan of Rodriguez’s off-field actions and he made it known by hitting him with the baseball on a 3-0 count.

MLB needs to take a look at the sequence of events and either fine or suspend Dempster for his actions. There is no problem with Dempster throwing behind Rodriguez because everyone knew that was going to come eventually, but for Dempster to clearly throw high and tight into Rodriguez’s shoulder on a hitters’ count like that is completely uncalled for.

You do not take your emotions out on another human being like that. Not only is it a bit immoral, but it cost the Red Sox a bit because the Yankees would eventually tie the game in the inning as well.

It is time to settle down.

Ryan Gaydos is a MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google


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