Ryas/MLB

Butcher says umpire at fault in ejection

By MARC TOPKIN
Published September 27, 2006

BOSTON - Devil Rays pitching coach Mike Butcher said he does not deserve to be suspended for his actions after he was ejected from Monday's game and suggested veteran umpire Larry Young was the one who did something wrong.

As Butcher charged onto the field after being ejected by home-plate umpire Alfonso Marquez in the first inning, Young, the crew chief, ran in from third base to intercept him and there clearly was contact between the two.

Butcher appeared to push past Young, but Butcher, who had scratch marks on his right forearm, said: "Larry Young made contact with me."

What appeared to bother Butcher more was something he claimed Young said that apparently was derogatory about the Rays.

"What he said was damaging to the game - I'll leave it at that," Butcher said.

"In my mind, when I went out there, Larry Young was never part of the conversation or should have been part of the conversation. He got involved the way he did, and if they show the whole video then you'll see how involved. I have the video. I have what he said, and everything."

Neither Butcher nor manager Joe Maddon, who was also ejected, would elaborate. In past years, Rays players and coaches have said they have gotten the impression from some umpires that bad teams don't deserve to get close calls.

Butcher said he would wait and see what action MLB officials take before saying any more. An MLB official said a ruling is expected in the next day or two so any suspensions could be served before Sunday's final game.

"I honestly feel like nothing is going to happen. I don't feel like anything should happen," Butcher said. "We'll see how it all plays out. I think it's right for MLB to know what was said."

Maddon also said suspensions were not warranted.

NAVARRO OUT: Catcher Dioner Navarro is expected to rejoin the team Thursday in Cleveland after spending Tuesday and today with his 1-year-old son, who is having a series of medical tests in Tampa. Maddon said he told Navarro that he can take more time if necessary.

NOT-SO-MINOR MATTERS: Shortstop Reid Brignac and reliever Juan Salas were named to Baseball America's prestigious minor-league All-Star team, which encompasses all levels. The Rays and Reds were the only organizations with more than one player.

Seven Rays were also named to BA's classification all-star teams: DH Kevin Witt, Triple A; second baseman Eliot Johnson and Salas, Double A; first baseman Chris Nowak and Brignac, advanced Class A; Jeremy Hellickson, short-season A; catcher Nevin Ashley, rookie. Montgomery was named Double-A team of the year.

RECORD RUN: Tim Corcoran starts for the Rays tonight trying to snap a nine-game losing streak that is reaching historical proportions.

Corcoran hasn't won since July 9 (a span of 12 starts) and, according to Stats Inc., his 0-9 record after the All-Star break matches the second worst over the past 50 years. Jay Tibbs was 0-10 for Baltimore in 1998. Craig Anderson of the 1962 Mets and Jim Parque of the 1999 White Sox were also 0-9.

MISCELLANY: Carl Crawford drew his career-high 36th walk. ... Second baseman Jorge Cantu, who missed his fifth game Tuesday due to a virus, is expected back tonight. ... In what could be a long winter of trade rumors, the New York Post suggested Tuesday the Mets would have considerable interest in Crawford - whom Tampa Bay "intends to dangle" - and could offer the type of top young pitching prospect the Rays would want, such as Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber. ... After a 3:30 a.m. arrival at their hotel the Rays canceled batting practice Tuesday.

[Last modified September 27, 2006, 02:15:13]