Major League Baseball

Mattingly talks to Ethier after gesture

Published May. 19, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Andre Ethier was photographed making obscene gestures earlier this week and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has talked with the star outfielder about it.

''You just don't like seeing it,'' Mattingly said Thursday. ''Speaking from an organizational standpoint, it's not something that we can condone. I'm not going to sit here and say we think it's OK and try to make any excuses for it. I talked to Andre about it, and we're going to handle it internally. It's more of a family problem than anything else.''

During batting practice before a game against the Brewers, Ethier was snapped flipping his middle fingers at a photographer. He says he found the photographer distracting.

''My whole thing was, our group had 10 minutes for batting practice,'' Ethier told reporters in the clubhouse. ''After five minutes I asked the person to please leave the area. He didn't do it. I asked him again. He didn't acknowledge, he didn't do it. I'm sorry now that it happened. I didn't use good judgment. If you're going to stand there and take the same picture, what's the difference from the first minute to the 15th minute? It's kind of annoying.''

Ethier was batting .325 with four homers and 21 RBI, but entered Thursday in an 0 for 17 drought.

''Obviously, I used bad judgment. Major League Baseball grants that access because good things come out of it. I have to remember that when I put on a uniform and walk out there on the field, it's public domain. Sometimes that temper you have all written about me (having) gets the best of me.''

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