Despite using an ineligible player vs. the Rays, all signs point to a monetary punishment, not one that can be statistically felt.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published April 14, 2004
NEW YORK - The Orioles' use of an ineligible player likely will turn out to be a no-win situation for the Devil Rays.
While there was no official ruling from Major League Baseball on Tuesday, indications were the Orioles would get no more than a fine for their actions.
"It's highly unlikely that any action would result in a forfeit or replay of the game in question," MLB executive vice president Sandy Alderson told the Associated Press. "It was more confusion about the rule than any sort of intentional violation."
MLB officials cited precedent of several examples where teams similarly used ineligible players and were not required to forfeit. Rays officials declined to comment until the ruling is made official, which is likely to happen today.
Some Rays said they weren't sure what should have been done, or what should be done to prevent teams from attempting similar illegal moves that could be beneficial.
"Was there malicious intent? No. But the fact of the matter is the guy was ineligible to be on the field and he was pitching and helped his team win," said Rays catcher Brook Fordyce, a former Oriole.
"I don't think a fine is good enough. Who's to say a higher profile team doesn't pull the same thing during the season to get a win and they only have to pay a penalty? . . . And who's to say that one game doesn't keep us from being the wild card?"
Infielder/outfielder Eduardo Perez said: "It's a tough call. It wasn't intentional. We knew he was starting two days before so it wasn't a surprise. I really don't know what can come of it."
The situation came about when the Orioles called up Erik Bedard to pitch against the Rays on Saturday, apparently misinterpreting an MLB rule that a player must stay in the minors for 10 regular-season days before being recalled.
Because MLB offices are closed on the weekend, officials didn't catch the violation until Monday, when they checked their voice-mail messages and found out about the move.
The Orioles won 11-3, though it could be noted the Orioles were behind 3-2 when Bedard was taken out in the fourth inning.
