The Detroit Tigers are playing their best baseball of the season right now, winning their last six games and 10 of their last 13. Because of this recent stretch they've basically wrapped up the AL Central, putting 6 1/2 games between them and the second-place Minnesota Twins.But even though they're winning games doesn't mean their frustrations can't get the best of them from time to time. After nearly blowing a save on Friday night in Tampa, Tigers' closer Fernando Rodney threw a baseball into the stands that landed in the press box. It was a pretty nice throw that earned Rodney a three-game suspension and a fine from Major League Baseball.
Nobody was struck by Rodney's throw, but it's pretty obvious why MLB wouldn't take too kindly to Rodney's decision. Had the throw not landed in the press box, it's possible it may have struck a fan leaving his/her seat, and that's not the kind of chance baseball wants to take.
For his part, Rodney said he wasn't trying to hurt anybody.
"I was throwing the ball to the fans," Rodney said afterwards. "[I was] emotional. It's nothing bad. I know I'm not supposed to throw the ball, but I'm feeling in the moment. ... I don't throw it to hit nobody. I think if I throw it in the right spot, I don't hit nobody."
Chad Qualls was also suspended three games for a similar act back in 2007 after he blew a lead for the Houston Astros in a game at Angels Stadium.Rodney will be appealing the suspension, so there's no telling when he's going to miss any games, but whenever he misses time it'll be quite a temporary blow to Detroit's bullpen. Still, its lead in the AL Central is big enough that it shouldn't have a huge impact on the team's playoff plans.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-08-2009 @ 6:14PM
nickcherryl said...
Here we got another Bradley, a spoiled brat,
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9-08-2009 @ 10:19PM
yappy007 said...
fernando is far from it! he's a good guy. when is the last time you heard his name called out for something bad? i suggest you do some research before calling him a brat or bradley!
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9-09-2009 @ 10:43AM
rosee27088 said...
I live in a Detroit suburb and am a HUGE Tiger fan. Although I didn't see the incident, I agree with the decision to penalize him. There's a difference between a soft underhand toss and a hard throw, especially from someone who throws balls between 80-90 mph for a living. I agree with it because this team is NOT arrogant, self-centered, or "Brats". The camaraderie between the players is what gives the Tigers their magic and we love them for it. In our town we are fans no matter what, win or lose (a good example is the Lions, especially last year) and the Tigers are good examples to kids who look up to them. They play as a team and when given praise for anything outstanding (like Inge's grand slam a few days ago) they always mention their teammates and give credit to them also. Rodney (who has a thick accent so lay off of him for the way he was quoted) is no different than anyone else on the team and I'm sure Leyland told him that he deserved to take his lumps for throwing the ball. That's not what we want to be known for.
9-09-2009 @ 6:40AM
Bill3JoanA said...
Not a Tiger fan to start. I don't remember the 2007 incident that was referenced in this story but it is the most asinine reason to suspend a player that I have heard of yet. OF's do it all the time. Suspend them all? If so.....Start with Bob Watson
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9-09-2009 @ 7:32AM
Denis Quilligan said...
The TAMPA BAY Rays play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, not Tampa! Will you guys ever get that right? Does the LA Angels at Anaheim confuse you too?
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9-09-2009 @ 10:24AM
chirodan01 said...
Tampa or St Pete, the Trop still blows
9-09-2009 @ 2:33PM
Sharon said...
You are so right! Why is it so difficult to comprehend? Pinellas side of the bay is St. Petersburg....Tampa side of the bay is Tampa.
No rocket science to that.
9-09-2009 @ 7:08AM
Frank said...
Outfielders toss the ball to fans, this guy must of had to throw it pretty hard to reach the press box.
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9-09-2009 @ 7:28AM
buxfan8 said...
Im sorry I was at the games this past weekemd Tigers vs Rays I thought what Fernando Rodney did may have been maybe a touch out of line but I think he just done it out of heat of the moment and if he could take it back he would, as a I seen Rodney sign tons of autographs and mingling with the crowd before the games and came off as nothing less then as a gentleman. Sometimes intensity just gets the best of us once in a while.
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9-09-2009 @ 7:43AM
ohiodi1251 said...
Yeah heat of the moment, usually just shoot someone when that happens.
9-09-2009 @ 7:49AM
Paul said...
shows he has a darn good arm!!
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9-09-2009 @ 8:25AM
Mr. Norris said...
How's the ball ?
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9-09-2009 @ 8:28AM
Jonitia Johnson said...
You must have been a sports wannabe. I guess if we put all the players that are good in jail, you think you will get the chance to play. I think/know not. It was an temporary lack of judgement. I actually have pictures of other players doing the same thing at Tropicana Field and nobody said a thing.
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9-09-2009 @ 8:31AM
edbear63 said...
That league ball is like rock, that could injure or kill someone if it's thrown to hard at someone that's not ready to catch it.
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9-09-2009 @ 8:35AM
Jonitia Johnson said...
You obviously do not live in the Tampa Bay area. Yes, you are correct the Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field which is located in St. Pete. However, living in the area they are often referred to as a Tampa Bay area team not just a St. Pete team. If that is not confusing try directing someone in St. Pete to the St. Pete Times Forum, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is located in downtown Tampa.
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9-09-2009 @ 1:52PM
vickhcc20 said...
Ha, I have lived in Tampa since 1986 and everyone til this day is confused about how backwards Tampa's and St. Pete's stadiums are. When will they get it right?
9-09-2009 @ 9:11AM
rob said...
Typical jock!!!!!! Doesn't know how to talk. "I don't throw it to hit nobody.", which means he did try to hit somebody. Should have said he didn't try to hit anybody.
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9-09-2009 @ 9:46AM
how ya doin Mark said...
Nice little "toss to the fans" that made it to the press box! C'mon folks, this guy is a typical pro athlete who thinks he can do whatever he wants, and then whines when he gets scolded! If I make a mistake, I'm expected to pay for it. Aren't you? Can you say Michael Vick?
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9-09-2009 @ 9:46AM
Angel said...
Another one of those..Didn't hit anybody, but He could have..(like Plax) Its ridiculous. He shouldn't be fined for this. All I know is if it was Trevor Hoffman throwing a souvenir to the fans he wouldn't see a fine. But its dark fernando rodney and he "could've hurt someone"..He got the SAVE end of story, he wasn't Mad trying to hit someone..
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9-09-2009 @ 9:47AM
John said...
We had a player for our Peoria Chiefs throw a ball intentionally at the opponets dugout, missed and hit a fan in the stands causing bodily injury to that person. So if you throw a ball hard enough to hit a press box, you've thrown it hard enough to hurt a fan
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