The hammer of justice that is Bob Watson has made a decision, and Ivan Rodriguez is going to have to live with it. Ivan will have to sit out a game, and his wallet is a bit lighter this afternoon, thanks to bumping home plate umpire Mike Winters on Friday night in Seattle."If I did [bump him], I just did it barely," Rodriguez said on Thursday. "I didn't do that on purpose. There was no reason to take me out of the game there."You did, Ivan. We all saw it. Though I tend to agree that you didn't do it on purpose, whether intentional or not, if you bump an umpire or make any kind of physical contact you will get tossed. It's just the way it is, and has always been.
Rodriguez did have a right to be angry though. After Yuniesky Betancourt swung and missed during a hit and run, he fell over the plate and got in Pudge's way as he tried to throw out Adrian Beltre at second base. Beltre never did come around to score, rendering the argument and ejection meaningless, but Winters still blew the call pretty damn badly if I do say so myself.
Rodriguez or the Tigers have not said when he'll serve the suspension, but it's doubtful he'll appeal. Considering catchers get a day off pretty regularly as it is, an appeal would be rather pointless.
Previously at FanHouse:
Ivan Rodriguez Could Be Suspended
