Rays/MLB

Butcher suspended

The pitching coach also is fined for run-in with umpire, who apparently described the Rays as "low-budget."

By MARC TOPKIN
Published September 28, 2006

BOSTON - The Devil Rays were incensed by some of the words umpire Larry Young used - apparently referring to them as "low-budget" - during an argument with pitching coach Mike Butcher in Monday's game.

Then Major League Baseball got the last word Wednesday when Butcher was fined about $1,000 and suspended (with pay) for three games because of "inappropriate actions and comments" during the first-inning incident.

Butcher, who started the suspension Wednesday night, said Tuesday that Young made a comment "that was damaging to the game" and hinted he would elaborate more after a decision was made on discipline.

But Wednesday, he refused to do so.

"I'm just going to leave it on the field," Butcher said. "What happened happened. It's the heat of the battle. When you're out there obviously it's a little intense. I got the suspension and that's what happened."

In replays of the incident, Young looks to be calling Butcher a "low-budget" something, which, according to some who overheard it, sounded like a certain lower body part.

Rays officials declined to address the comment.

But they could have reason to be concerned if the implication was that a "low-budget" team didn't have the same rights, or deserve the same courtesy, as a big-budget team such as the Yankees.

Previous Rays managers, coaches and players have expressed frustration that they didn't get the benefit of close calls because they were a perennial last-place team.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he did not feel that was the case - though even if he did it wouldn't necessarily be wise to say so.

"I really believe all those (umpires) go out there with a ton of integrity," Maddon said. "If anything goes against you ,I don't ever think it's done maliciously or because you wear a particular uniform. I don't believe that. I think these guys are full of integrity and that we have the best officiated game of all."

Butcher on Monday said that he didn't think he deserved to be suspended and that Young initiated the contact between them.

But MLB vice president Bob Watson apparently felt differently in issuing the ruling, which was made without Butcher, who filed a required report, having a chance to tell his side of the story.

"They made the decision based on what they saw, I guess," Butcher said. "All I know is they reviewed it and they came to their conclusion."

Butcher was initially ejected while still in the dugout by home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez, which usually indicates he said something inappropriate. He then charged onto the field, which requires an automatic suspension of at least one game, a rule that was implemented after former Rays bench coach John McLaren did so in a game at Oakland. Though Young came down from third base to home plate to get between Butcher and Marquez and did initiate contact, Butcher is seen on the replay pushing past him. Even if MLB did think Young, a 22-year veteran, did something wrong, no one would know since discipline against umpires is not made public.

Pitcher Jae Seo said the suspension was "terrible." Maddon said:

"I hate to see Mike get suspended. I don't like it. I'll miss him for the three days."

[Last modified September 28, 2006, 05:32:35]