The word has finally come down about the inevitable suspension for Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, and he appears to have gotten off easy. CBS Sports’ Eye on Baseball reporter Matt Snyder announced that Major League Baseball has suspended Machado five games for his bat toss toward Oakland Athletics third baseman Alberto Callaspo.
Indications are that the bat throw was a reaction to two way-inside fastballs from Oakland’s Fernando Abad, and Machado meant to throw the bat at Abad. The two pitches came in response to Machado’s run-in with third baseman Josh Donaldson during Friday night’s game and Machado’s hitting of Athletics catcher Derek Norris in the helmet with a back swing on Sunday — twice.
By now, baseball fans know the story, but a quick rehash may provide insight as to why the suspension is too light. On Friday, Machado ran into Donaldson’s inning-ending tag and took exception that Donaldson did not throw to first instead. Donaldson took the easiest play he had at the moment and did not risk throwing the ball away. Machado fell trying to avoid the tag and threw words at Donaldson. Later in the game, Donaldson took some chin music from Baltimore’s Wei-Yin Chen.
Fast forward to Sunday. Machado hit Norris twice in the helmet with back swings after missing the ball. Neither time did Machado check on the catcher, and he even smiled when Norris left after taking the second hit. We cannot determine intent, but we can note that Machado showed no remorse, especially if both hits were accidental.
By the time of the second hit, Oakland had the game in hand: 10-0 in the sixth. The bat throw occurred in the eighth. We might agree that one Abad fastball inside at Machado’s knees might send a message, but two might have some intent of its own. Umpires did eject Abad, but maybe a fine or suspension should come down on him as well.
In any event, if the bat throw had happened as a completely isolated incident, then a five-game suspension would suffice. However, since it was more of a continuation of previous confrontations, then a longer suspension of maybe eight to ten games — unpaid — may seem more in order.
If Major League Baseball wants to curtail future on-field brawls, then it needs to send a message now. MLB should not tolerate unnecessary prolonged feuding between players and teams. MLB should have given Machado a little stiffer penalty, and Abad should get something for his part as well. MLB’s first job in these instances should be to protect the integrity of the game.
(Photo Credit: USATSI, CBS Sports.com)