Gomes to appeal, Cabrera too

Update, 12:53 Yankees OF Melky Cabrera said he would appeal his 3-game suspension and continued to deny he punched Rays prospect Evan Longoria in the back of the head during Wednesday's melee. "I didn't hit nobody,'' Cabrera said. "I don't see why I'm suspended.'' Yankees 1B Shelley Duncan said he had not decided yet whether to appeal his 3-game suspension.

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Rays OF Jonny Gomes didn't need much time to decide to appeal his two-game suspension and $2,000 fine for his role in Wednesday's melee with the Yankees.
Gomes said Saturday morning he would appeal, in hopes of getting the suspension reduced to one game or even dropped and just have to pay the fine.
"We're going to try,'' Gomes said. "There's no risk. We threw the red flag.''
Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said Friday any appeal would be based on the premise that Gomes was not trying to injure Shelley Duncan when he charged in from rightfield but was just defending teammate Akinori Iwamura after the rough slide at second.
"I don't think Jonny's intent was to hurt Duncan, and I think that's important in this,'' Friedman said. "That's something if we do go to a heaing, that's something we'll talk about.''
Duncan and Melky Cabrera also can appeal their three-game suspensions.

Comments

[Mark]

I think the only reason they suspended Jonny to begin with is that if they didn't, the entire Yankee organization and their fans would be up in arms. I don't think he'll get a reduced anything.

Remember last year, Carl was suspended after "inappropriate actions" after being "thrown out" at first base, when I believe his actions were the most appropriate in franchise history, and it was clear as day that he was safe due to the 1st baseman having stepped off the bag. Carl appealed and not a thing was done except having his fine cut by $250. (I guess the MLB felt bad enough about it, that they decided to spring Carl for a Nintendo Wii or something)

If that's any indication, Jonny will probably have to sit the first two games of the season, but as long as he gets to play all four games vs. the Yankees afterward in the 2nd series of the season, then that's fine with me. If he happens to win his appeal, then of course that would be great, but I just don't see it happening.