Nationals’ Morgan suspended seven games

[VaPirate]

If you start suspending players for hitting catchers who are blocking the plate or at least trying to block the plate, then you will have to start suspending players for breaking up double plays.  How many times do guys go way out of their way to break up a double play and barely touch 2B?

There are good hard plays and there are cheap shots.  Period.  Morgan was involved in two this week, including the one in Miami (instead of focusing on scoring he was intent on delivering the hardest hit he could and then he is chicken enough to say afterward that he was "afraid that he would get hurt sliding") . 

But here's the worse for me: he proves what he's made of - he's more than willing to mow people over intentionally (risking real injury to the other player) but when someone throws behind him and low (ie, no real risk of injury) he proves what a man he is and charges the mound.  He can and does "dish it" but he can't and won't "take it." 

BUSH LEAGUE and I'm pretty surprised that anyone whold defend the guy.

I personally think the stealing of bases is part of the problem.  It's a blowout.  The Marlins are trying to "even the score" from the night before.  Morgan instead of "playing the game" decides to show up the opposing pitcher.  I'm not surprised that that really ticked the Marlins off.  Everything about this incident (including his manic behavior as they escort him off) was LOW CLASS.

[PMike]

If you start suspending players for hitting catchers who are blocking the plate or at least trying to block the plate, then you will have to start suspending players for breaking up double plays.  How many times do guys go way out of their way to break up a double play and barely touch 2B?

There are good hard plays and there are cheap shots.  Period.  Morgan was involved in two this week, including the one in Miami (instead of focusing on scoring he was intent on delivering the hardest hit he could and then he is chicken enough to say afterward that he was "afraid that he would get hurt sliding") . 

But here's the worse for me: he proves what he's made of - he's more than willing to mow people over intentionally (risking real injury to the other player) but when someone throws behind him and low (ie, no real risk of injury) he proves what a man he is and charges the mound.  He can and does "dish it" but he can't and won't "take it." 

BUSH LEAGUE and I'm pretty surprised that anyone would defend the guy.

I personally think the stealing of bases is part of the problem.  It's a blowout.  The Marlins are trying to "even the score" from the night before.  Morgan instead of "playing the game" decides to show up the opposing pitcher.  I'm not surprised that that really ticked the Marlins off.  Everything about this incident (including his manic behavior as they escort him off) was LOW CLASS.

Well stated VaPirate.

[Thunder]

Nyjer just got another 8 game suspension.  That's in addition to the 7 he was given here.  His appeal is still pending on that one (I think the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday).

Evidently, from the ESPN article, Morgan's hearing on both suspensions is now next Friday. If they don't shorten the suspensions, he may just get shut down for the season, as the Nats will only have about 20 games left at that point.

[gnarburger]

Nyjer's hearing was yesterday, but they still haven't made a decision.  He's now played back to back games against the Marlins again.  At this rate his suspension will carry into next season.  The delay did create this great announcing moment last night, though:

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11907597

"He's not a smart player.  It doesn't take long to figure that out."

[skinnyhorse]

Wait...Morgan or Milledge did this?

I thought Milledge was the bad apple?

Dog,you have to be relevant to cause a stink,something Milledge wouldn't know anything about.  The guy is worthless.

skinny

[DocJon49]

Wait...Morgan or Milledge did this?

I thought Milledge was the bad apple?

Dog,you have to be relevant to cause a stink,something Milledge wouldn't know anything about.  The guy is worthless.

skinny

Derek Bell was relevant?

[TNbucs]

Wait...Morgan or Milledge did this?

I thought Milledge was the bad apple?

Dog,you have to be relevant to cause a stink,something Milledge wouldn't know anything about.  The guy is worthless.

skinny

A guy with an OPS > .900 against LHP is far from worthless.  He just needs to be managed to his strengths.  Maybe this year was about finding out what those strengths are.

[A. Senter]

Wait...Morgan or Milledge did this?

I thought Milledge was the bad apple?

Dog,you have to be relevant to cause a stink,something Milledge wouldn't know anything about.  The guy is worthless.

skinny

A guy with an OPS > .900 against LHP is far from worthless.  He just needs to be managed to his strengths.  Maybe this year was about finding out what those strengths are.

That's actually true.  Milledge does hit lefties well and if he was used as the right handed half of a platoon, he'd probably be pretty productive.  The problem is that this season was also used to find out what John Russell's strengths are.  Here's the list:

[Dogknot3]

If you start suspending players for hitting catchers who are blocking the plate or at least trying to block the plate, then you will have to start suspending players for breaking up double plays.  How many times do guys go way out of their way to break up a double play and barely touch 2B?

There are good hard plays and there are cheap shots.  Period.  Morgan was involved in two this week, including the one in Miami (instead of focusing on scoring he was intent on delivering the hardest hit he could and then he is chicken enough to say afterward that he was "afraid that he would get hurt sliding") . 

But here's the worse for me: he proves what he's made of - he's more than willing to mow people over intentionally (risking real injury to the other player) but when someone throws behind him and low (ie, no real risk of injury) he proves what a man he is and charges the mound.  He can and does "dish it" but he can't and won't "take it." 

BUSH LEAGUE and I'm pretty surprised that anyone whold defend the guy.

I personally think the stealing of bases is part of the problem.  It's a blowout.  The Marlins are trying to "even the score" from the night before.  Morgan instead of "playing the game" decides to show up the opposing pitcher.  I'm not surprised that that really ticked the Marlins off.  Everything about this incident (including his manic behavior as they escort him off) was LOW CLASS.

They already hit him with a pitch.  He charged after they threw at him again.

[Xiga]

Dog,you have to be relevant to cause a stink,something Milledge wouldn't know anything about.  The guy is worthless.

How is Morgan any more relevant? He's having a terrible season and has to be one of the worst regulars in baseball.

[81omar]

   Nyjer only had to serve 8 of a possible 15 total game suspension...that makes a ton of sense,they basically eliminated the one suspension despite the fact he did so many things in between his actions and his hearing that he got an even longer suspension added on. Way to reward him for getting 2 suspensions so close together. Who's handling the hearings now for MLB,Ned Flanders?

[ECBucs]

They determined that he shouldn't have been suspended for throwing a ball into stands in Philly.

they didn't want to admit that he shouldn't have been suspended for that so they just reduced total suspension.