Mr. October Forced Out of Yankees Dugout

Major League Baseball has dropped the hammer on Reggie Jackson, both forbidding him from his perch inside the Yankees dugout the rest of the season as well as fining him $250 for taking the field during the Yankees-Rays melee last week. From the New York Post:

"I am going to call Bud (Selig) today," said Jackson, who explained he was on the field in the role of a peacemaker. "I called him (Saturday) and left a message. I was trying to make peace. I didn't have my number (44) on but I had the windbreaker that a lot of guys wear. (Don) Zimmer was on the field. He walked out; I jogged."

The fine is just dumb. I mean, $250? That's a lunch tab for Reggie. But as far as being banished, fair is fair and even a personal appeal to Selig won't change anything. What Jackson doesn't realize is he's not being given the boot so much as being reminded he was never supposed to be there in the first place. The Red Sox ran into this same problem a year ago when MLB told them they couldn't have legend Johnny Pesky hanging around the dugout, since the rules limit team personnel to just players, managers and six coaches.

Spring Training 2008

Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera, right, and Maglio Ordonez stand around the batting cage during batting practice before spring training baseball action against the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota, Fla., Monday, March 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland sits in the dugout during spring training action against the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota, Fla., Monday, March 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Colorado Rockies' Willy Taveras, left, safely steals second base as San Francisco Giants shortstop Brian Bocock applies a late tag during the third inning of a spring training baseball game on Monday, March 17, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Rockies won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Colorado Rockies' Jayson Nix rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of a spring training baseball game on Monday, March 17, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Rockies won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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San Francisco Giants' Randy Winn reacts after striking out against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning of a spring training baseball game on Monday, March 17, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Rockies won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Eugenio Velez, left, of the Dominican Republic, tags out Colorado Rockies' Ryan Spilborghs during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Monday, March 17, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Rockies won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Aaron Cook delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a spring training baseball game on Monday, March 17, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Rockies won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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San Francisco Giants right fielder Randy Winn catches the ball hit by Colorado Rockies' Garrett Atkins during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Monday, March 17, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Rockies won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Oakland Athletics' Dan Johnson doubles off of Kansas City Royals' Brian Bannister in the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Phoenix on Monday, March 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Oakland Athletics' Emil Brown catches a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Mark Teahen in the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game in Phoenix on Monday, March 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)

3-17-2008 @ 9:05PM

Mike said...

Leave reggie alone for cryin' out loud! You are over-commisioning.

3-17-2008 @ 9:03PM

Bill said...

"What Jackson doesn't realize is he's not being given the boot so much as being reminded he was never supposed to be there in the first place."

End of story.

3-17-2008 @ 9:11PM

janislafreniere said...

johnny pesky and reggie jackson are legends and should be permitted, they are more like team mascot than coaches...be real.

3-17-2008 @ 9:09PM

awomanofdesign said...

make him a coach then. lord knows he's pretty much at every game always giving support.

roadking8633 said...

reggie si a jerk and karma is fially biting in the butt!!!!!

3-17-2008 @ 9:38PM

ohdbyl said...

Evander Holyfield should also leave boxing.....

3-17-2008 @ 9:10PM

Robean753 said...

How stupid is this? Reggie is a YANKEE, one of the greatest, who gave us one of our greatest thrills...beating the hated Dodgers in the series...He also went to the HALL of FAME as a YANKEE, as was his choice...He may be a bit hard to take, but he is a YANKEE...Cheers to Reggie

3-17-2008 @ 9:12PM

Derek said...

Come on how ridiculous!! The guy is a hall of famer trying to help out - Bud needs to get off his high horse.

steve reznick said...

Maybe we should test Bud Selig for performance enhancing drugs. Only someone in a steroid rage could ban Reggie or Johnny Pesky from the dugout. These guys helped make the game what it is today. Their presence should be an honor. Bud Selig continues to be a disgrace

3-17-2008 @ 9:14PM

Lakergregg said...

Thats what I told the feds...I wasn't there as a client, I was trying to get a pieace,ummh I mean make peace.

-Eliot Spitzer-

3-17-2008 @ 9:18PM

steve said...

this guy is asleep at the wheel. wish he had paid this much attention during the roidball days. Reggie is an icon, appreciate him while he is here. They let Lasorda roll out there and they give Reggie a hard time. Gentlemen and ladies, is the state of the game.

3-19-2008 @ 11:24PM

Mary Martinez said...

Why don't you fine him, $2500.00 or even $25,000.00, and NOT banish him. The man was an exquisite ball player and at the very least a great adviser to the team. Buy the way... let's talk "Player Misconduct," Bad Sportsmanship, etc... NOT that someone feels "Reggie stepped out of line". What about "Player Culpability? Show me the video of the "Yankees-Rays melee" that Reggie was was a part of, please! What happened to Baseball? Where is the common sense? This comes from his ex-bodyguard's neighbor. This is a good man... that only has baseballs best interest at heart... and, NO, I've never gotten a Car from him. Let it go!

Brian said...

Who Cares!

3-17-2008 @ 9:21PM

Yeah, right, Bud. Sit on your ass while steroids severely damaged the game but, hey, let's make sure Pesky can't sit in the Red Sox dugout and Reggie can't sit in the Yankees' dugout ... what a travesty, having those old guys crowding up the bench, right?

3-17-2008 @ 9:20PM

namvet said...

Ban SELIG from Baseball...we'd be better off!

3-17-2008 @ 9:24PM

Echy said...

Reggie belongs with the Yankees. He is a Yankee Legend.He is Mr.October and will always be rememebered.
Leave Reggie alone... Before it was with Pete Rose.
What does baseball do for retireee's?
A baseball player is player off and on the field... It better thantake ddrugs or alcohol away from the dugout.

3-17-2008 @ 9:25PM

tom said...

Put a costume on and run around the bases. That is the closest Reggie needs to be to the players and field.
Pete Rose should be in the Hall Of Fame!

3-17-2008 @ 9:27PM

Lee said...

Reggie is still Reggie, hubris and all.

3-17-2008 @ 9:26PM

sgt.pepper said...

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.If the Red Sox couldnt have Johnny Pesky in their dugout then why should the Yankees be allowed to have Reggie Jackson in theirs?

It's a stupid rule but deal with it.