Duncan, Cabrera get 3 games; Gomes 2

Update, 4:32 Manager Joe Maddon said the penalties assessed were too close in length given what the Yankees players did compared to what Jonny Gomes did. "That does not make any sense to me whatsoever,'' Maddon said. "What Jon did was reaction to what they had done, and we did not start a thing. I've addressed that point already - they perpetrated the entire situation. And then to have the punishment doled out almost on a similar basis, to me is unjust and it's not right. I'm sure we're going to appeal the situation and see what we can do, but that's the only part about it I'm disappointed in.''

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The discipline from Wednesday's incident with the Yankees look like this:
New York's Shelley Duncan and Melky Cabrera will be suspended three regular-season games and fined, and Rays OF Jonny Gomes suspended two games and fined $2,000. Yankees manager Joe Girardi and coaches Bobby Meacham and Kevin Long were also fined undisclosed amounts.

Duncan, who started the incident with a high and hard slide into second baseman Akinori Iwamura, was disciplined for for "his violent and reckless actions." Cabrera was disciplined for punching Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria from behind during the benches-clearing melee, which MLB deemed a "violent and aggressive" action. Gomes, who charged at Duncan from rightfield after the slide, was disciplined for his "violent" actions. All suspensions are scheduled to start March 31 but can be appealed and are held in abeyance until a hearing is held.

The Rays didn't seem particularly pleased that the two Yankees only got suspended for one more game than Gomes.

"I don't necessarily think that the actions were equitable to have a suspension be that close,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said, "but it's also not my place to opine on that.''

Gomes said he thought Duncan would get a longer suspension "due to maybe sending a message that there's not room for slides like that in the game,'' but said he had "no problem" with the decision. "But I'm not happy or sad, I don't really care how many games he gets.''

Gomes also said he thought the intent of what Duncan and Cabrera did would be a factor. "Those guys are trying to inflict injuries, those guys are trying to inflict pain, and I don't know how much room there is for that in this game,'' Gomes said. "There's the old "we hit you, you hit us" type of deal, but it's different with spikes high and punches being thrown.''

He also said: "I think they were two totally different acts of what happened. No matter what Shelley wants to say, I think the bottom line is what he did really could have hurt Aki. Whether he was trying to lodge the ball out or not, I don't know. But Aki does have a cut on his leg and he could have really injured Aki. I just went in for an old-fashioned forearm shimmy and I grabbed the guy. Whether I did it or a guy smaller than me did what I did, Duncan wasn't going to get hurt. I was just sending a message.  So one day difference, like I said it's out of my hands, but whatever.''

The Times reported Friday about the Cabrera incident, and that the Rays said there was video evidence even though Cabrera denied being involved. Friedman said he had heard about it but hadn't seen the video yet, but if MLB saw it that way then he was pleased with the decision: "I don't think there's a place for that in one of those incidents at all.''

Friedman said the Rays "stand behind" Gomes and would soon meet to discuss whether he would appeal.

Gomes said he "wouldn't take back what he did" and got considerable positive feedback from other major-leaguers and was happy to send out a message that the Rays had each others' backs.

Players are suspended with pay and can not be replaced on the roster.

Though the Rays made a decision to not have Gomes play against the Yankees on Saturday in Tampa, instead sending him to a split-squad game at Disney, the Yankees will play Duncan against the Rays. (The Yankees also have a split-squad game in Lakeland.)

“I’m trying to move on,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “Shelley’s play was aggressive. I don’t think he was trying to hurt anybody. Other people may see it another way. He’s going to have to play against the Devil Rays one day.”

Rays manager Joe Maddon said: "There's no reason to send Jon out over there right now, I think it's the wrong thing to do based on the recent events. He'll get his chance to play against them but for right now until this thing settles down I thought it was the appropriate thing to do.''

Gomes said he had "no problem" going to the Disney game "to let things simmer down" and he hopes the teams can put this behind them.

On Thursday, the Rays said they felt Duncan deserved to be suspended but hoped Gomes would receive a lesser punishment.

Duncan was ejected immediately from Wednesday's game after sliding into second hard and spike-high, leaving Rays 2B Akinori Iwamura with a 3-4'' cut on the inside of his right leg. Gomes then raced in from rightfield to come to Iwamura's defense and charged Duncan, sparking a benches-clearing melee. Gomes was ejected, as were Yankees coaches Bobby Meacham and Kevin Long. During that scrum, the Rays say Yankees OF Melky Cabrera punched Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria in the back of the head.

At the time, Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Duncan's slide: "What you saw today was the definition of a dirty play. There's no room for that in our game. It's contemptible, it's wrong, it's borderline criminal. And I cannot believe they did that."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has declined to charecterize the play but said he believes Duncan that there was no malicious intent. After the teams had an incident last Saturday in Tampa, Duncan had made some veiled threats of retribution.

The Rays say they hope there are no further incidents, but with the teams playing again Saturday in Tampa, are taking some preventive action, by putting Gomes instead on the split-squad team playing the Braves at Disney rather than against the Yankees.

"

Comments

[Kevin in North Carolina]

I know Joe Giradi feels that he is responsible for protecting Duncan's character, but he is an idiot if he believes that anyone else would be in an agreement with him...This was malicious, and I hope Duncan breaks a leg for his actions...Whatever happened to the "high and tight" pitch to send a message...Duncan is lucky he didn't do severe damage...

[Kevin in North Carolina]

I know Joe Giradi feels that he is responsible for protecting Duncan's character, but he is an idiot if he believes that anyone else would be in an agreement with him...This was malicious, and I hope Duncan breaks a leg for his actions...Whatever happened to the "high and tight" pitch to send a message...Duncan is lucky he didn't do severe damage...

[Comeon]

Duncan gets 3 and Gomes 2. That's no justice at all. Duncan said he was going to hurt someone(Pre-Meditated) and spiked a player. Gomes pushed a guy......and the difference in punishment is 1 game? That's a joke. Duncan's should have been 3 and Gomes 1.

[cak]

Fair all around. Can we move on now?

[jeff]

I think the most encouraging thing to come from this incident is that Gomes finally hit SOMETHING!!!

[Shango Wango]

ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED HOMELESS PEOPLE LIVING UNDER A HIGHWAY AS WE SPEAK! I KNOW HOMELESS PEOPLE ONLY HAVE HALF A SOUL BUT WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

SACRIFICE ALL LUXURIES TO SAVE DRUNK BUMS! NO NEW STADIUM! PATCHOULI DAY AT THE TROP!

[Kevin]

Screw the Yankees...I hope Niemman or Jackson puts a pitch in Cabrerra's ribs so he's got to man up and fight face to face.

[Kevin]

Oh jeez Shango...Shut your mouth or I'm going to put a fastball in your ribs too...

[Shango Wango]

Why? Are you a gutless homeless sympathizer?

[Sean]

is that highway in the downtown district? Because if not shut up because it doesn't matter.

[Gene]

Everyone has made their point, now it is time to play ball! Duncan is a thug and will soon be playing with John Rocker! I like that Gomes came in and made a statement, but if he was really serious, why did he let up and fall down? My favorite part of all this was the look on Bartlett's face when he looked up and saw JG about to arrive! Let's hope they keep this enthusiasm up through the entire season.

[Shango Wango]

What's the downtown district? Hey man, I'm just trying to save some soulless bums. If you don't think drunk sub-humans are worth saving then by all means, tell me to shut up.

I just don't know why this city would ever want a state of the art baseball complex for the taxpayers to enjoy knowing full well there are drunk subhuman bums that aren't sane enough to help themselves.

I'm proud to live in a city where people are so willing to sacrifice everything (even their Birks) to help the people in tent city. Baseball stadium? Hell no! Can of corn and baked beans for Roger the soulless bum? Hell yes!

[Yankee Blows]

Sandy "The douchebag" Duncan will soon be starting on the wonderfully lame tv show called "Pro's vs. Joe's". I predict that the same outcome will occur, he will flame out. Duncan you suck!!!1

[kyle]

Shango- good point but wrong blog. Show your intelligence and blog the right column.

[devil rays are a joke]

That Gomes is a clown. He said that Duncan was trying to inflict injury, which nobody will ever say is justifiable, but he completely fails to acknowledge how his teammate broke that kid's wrist. A small cut on the leg won't prevent someone from playing whereas a broken wrist will. Let's open up our eyes and realize that Duncan's move was payback. Nothing more, nothing less. Now drop it.

[Sean]

Yeah payback for a leagal play. Was Johnson suspended? The answer is no. It was obvious you are trying to injure. Payback was hitting Longoria with a pitch. It should have been over then.

If they are such a joke why are the yankee's scared of them this year?

[JB]

Gomes pushed the guy from behind.. That was pretty bad. He deserves the 2 games

[Biff]

Vote "yes" for the stadium! Isn't it ironic that the amusement parks in this state thrive in hot weather. There is no reason that an open air baseball stadium wouldn't. Here's the key, dress comfortably for the game. If you wear shorts, flip flops and a tank top you will be fine. This is Florida!!! If you dress like an old person with dress shoes and slacks, you will be affected by hot weather!! Wake up!!! Lose the tennis shoes and black socks losers!!!

[joeh]

We need to give a few Yankees extra pay. They are so far from reality I would suspect more than many Yankee fans wish their team would shut and play ball. If this keeps up I would hope that upper management for the Rays goes out and gets an extra pitcher. Play Ball

[aaron]

YB: Duncan would start on your sorry team. Get real.

Let's hope this thing is over before the pathetic Rays players hurt anyone on the Yankees...you know, since we actually have the postseason to play for! Enjoy the cellar again Rays!!! No wait, maybe you'll edge out the O's this year for 4th? Maybe .500 even?

[devil rays are a joke]

Listen here, Sean.

I don't know where you get the crazy idea that the Yankees, let alone any other team in the league, are afraid of the Rays. Keep dreaming. Furthermore, Johnson should have been reprimanded. If you look at the incidents as unrelated, which one is worse really? Obviously running over a catcher who isn't even going to play in the reg season during a SPRING TRAINING game that nobody cares about. If Duncan had done what he did unprovoked, there wouldn't have been any of this hub bub. It was an overreaction from the umps and the league in their continuing effort to soften the league.

Ha, afraid of the Rays. I'll remember that one for a rainy day.

[dooey]

Hey devil rays are a joke:

WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
SNIFFF
WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
SNIFF SNIFF

[devil rays are a joke]

I would be crying like a girl too if the Rays were my team. It's okay, let all out.

[dooey]

haha. Thanks. But you the one whining and cryin there girl. Please don't take offense.

[devil rays are a joke]

Nice comeback, doodie. You're lame as hell. Please stay in Florida or where ever you are, as long as its no where near NY.

[dooey]

Ok sweetie. I promise I'll stay right here in Florida. Sorry 'bout bein lame

[devil rays are a joke]

As long as you can look yourself in the mirror, I couldn't give two dooeys if you're lame or not. Enjoy the season.

[Taylor]

Elliot's play was legal. Unfortunate result, but legal.

Duncan's play was, well, I'll agree with Maddon, borderline criminal.

Jonny deserves a couple games... I'm just shocked Duncan and Cabrera only got three.

And anyways, if you don't like the Rays, is there really a purpose to posting on a Rays blog???

[Sean]

Yeah I would be worried about getting one of your guys hurt. They are all old. A 97 mph fastball from kazmir might break a hip on that team.

If you want to go position for position I would take the Rays all day.

LF Crawford over Matsui
CF Upton over Melky
RF....I can't think of the RF for either team...Rays because there is nobody right now and Yanks I just don't know.
3rd Arod
SS Bartlett. Jeters might be the worst defensive SS in the game while Bartlett is top 5
2nd toss up
1st Pena
C Jorge

The Rays are stacked. The Yanks are getting up there in age. They are going to drop this year.

[bobby digital]

Don't forget bullpens ... doesn't bode well for the devil rays

And, Cano is better than any shmoe you guys at at 2nd. The rays definitely have one of the best outfields, but that's not gonna win you 100 games, let alone 80.

Abreu is RF .. how can you forget that OBP??

[spankmees vs. rays]

Just thought I would post this...

Team W L PCT GB
Tampa Bay 10 3 .769 -
Detroit 11 5 .688 0.5
Oakland 10 5 .667 1.0
Kansas City 9 6 .600 2.0
LA Angels 8 6 .571 2.5
Texas 8 6 .571 2.5
Minnesota 9 7 .563 2.5
Baltimore 7 7 .500 3.5
NY Yankees 6 6 .500 3.5
Chi White Sox 8 9 .471 4.0
Cleveland 7 9 .438 4.5
Boston 6 8 .429 4.5
Seattle 6 8 .429 4.5
Toronto 5 11 .313 6.5

If I was a 'spankmee' I'd be scared. LOL.

[Derrick]

Posada's response to Duncan's slide: "I've got nothing to say about that......"

Maybe Giradi should take some lessons from his vets?

[raysfan]

hey spanks fans, stop looking toward the past and embrace the future. that's y'alls problem. you can't get your @$$, i mean head, out of the past. the rays are going to own you this year and for 1/10th the price. you and your "rival" sawcks can take that to the bank and smoke it. you are old and bloated. we are young and hungry.

it all comes down to this -- who wants it more? answer that, yankee fan. who wants it more?

[spankmees vs. rays]

actually raysfan if you read what I posted you would see I'm on your side.

[spankmees vs. rays]

LOL. and if i'd read what you wrote I would know you were'nt addressing me. My bad! I just love how the spankmees are 4.5 games behind lil ol us.

[raysfan]

yeah i was not addressing you, i was addressing "yankee nation." (ha.) rays fans unite!

[Hawkeye]

"Gomes pushed the guy from behind.."

Watch out John, Shelley might hit you with his purse.

A push gets 2 games where an intent to injure only 3?

[Mark]

The Yankees and their fans wouldn't know an ill-advised and frowned upon play if it smacked the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's hand in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, and ultimately solidified the Yankees as the real failures of this decade one game later.

The Rays have lost games all these years because they had a weak payroll and few well recognizable players, on top of having absolutely no home atmosphere at the Trop.

The Yankees haven't won the World Series in the last 7 seasons, with a fantasy roster usually seen on games like MLB 2K8 that a 14 year old kid would make to go 162-0, and the Yankees have some of the best players money can buy, but other teams have found a way to beat that talent when it counts for a long time now.

Playoff appearances are fine and dandy, but in the last 7 years, the Yankees have just as much to show for their season as the Rays have, and if you can't understand that this WILL be the best season in the history of the Rays, playoffs or not, you should quit watching baseball.

And something else that bothers me, if you live in Florida, and you go to the Trop just for the Yankees, try not to pretend like every pop fly A-Rod hits is a home run. People would rather hear cowbells all day than that.

[nyy all day]

are you referencing spring training w/l records? for god's sake we had billy crystal leading off yesterday! get a grip!

[Wcia]

Maddons a dope and the Rays carry the cellar again.... but if Kazmir wants his talents to be rewarded New York would love his effort...

[Mike]

Jorge Posada, a classy man. Thanks for the quote Derrick. He (and a very few others) represent the true Yankee tradition of Mantle, Berra and DiMaggio.

[Mark]

Wcia-

Kazmir did play for New York.

The Mets that is... (moderate laughter)

But if you think the Rays are taking a backseat to the Orioles, you're out of your skull.

[DGA]

the rays are going to whip the AL East this year. they won't win every game, of course, but they are going to breathe down your yankees' and red sox' necks the whole day long. so get used to it. don't expect us to roll over and take it anymore.

[Hungry for Fame]

No one expects the Rays to roll over and take it, they'll bend over and take it, NY owns Tampa, look at the NY mob they run things down there with no fear, Trafficante is dead!

[bob]

It's the Rays falt for knocking the catcher over Duncan was just sticking up or his teamate. and Gomes should be suspended for stupid actions.

[bob]

people saying the Rays rule and the Yankees havent won a wrold series in 7 tears well they won 26 how many has anyother team out there won

[Mark]

Bob - I'm pretty sure no one cares how many World Series championships the Yankees won in the 20th century.

I'm willing to bet that you couldn't tell me a thing about the Yankees' championships in the 1920's, so the fact that you seem to brag about it makes me chuckle.

But if you feel so great about all those championships, before the American League started the DH rule, and back when there weren't 30 teams in the league, and there weren't hundred-million dollar payrolls or contracts, then good for you.

However, your logic is flawed and outdated, so you should join everyone else by realizing that those Division Championships that the Yankees have been winning (except last year) are not as fantastic as a World Series championship.

No matter how many World Series championships the Yankees have won in the previous century, they still didn't win in 2001 or 2003, they still blew a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS, and they have still been eliminated in the ALDS in every other year since last winning in 2000.

I'd rather my team not make the playoffs at all rather than failing year after year after year in the playoffs, proving that everyone overrates them.