Major League Baseball

Morgan shocked by 8-game suspension

Published Sep. 3, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan was shocked after being served an eight-game suspension from Major League Baseball on Friday for his role in a violent, bench-clearing brawl that broke out during Wednesday's game against the Florida Marlins.

"Man, they threw the book at me." Morgan told MLB.com. "What did I do? I feel I haven't done anything."

During Wednesday night's game, Florida pitcher Chris Volstad intentionally threw behind Morgan, prompting the center fielder to charge the mound in a fit of rage.

Florida first baseman Gaby Sanchez sprinted over and took down Morgan with a forceful leap and a brutal mob formed near the pitcher's mound.

Also suspended among the Nationals were pitcher Doug Slaten and third-base coach Pat Listach, who received three-game bans, and manager Jim Riggleman, who got a two-game penalty.

On the Marlins' side, Volstad was suspended for six games and Sanchez got three, while pitcher Alex Sanabia received five and manager Edwin Rodriguez will serve one game.

All suspensions include undisclosed fines. Jose Veras of the Marlins was not suspended but was fined.

All the Marlins players were appealing their suspensions, meaning they are free to continue playing until the appeals process takes place, according to MLB.com.

Morgan has been involved in three separate incidents in less than one week.

He unnecessarily ran into Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson on Saturday and directed inappropriate comments to fans at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on Tuesday, before charging the mound Wednesday.

The friction Wednesday was linked to the 10th inning in Tuesday's game when Morgan collided with Florida catcher Brett Hayes on a play the Marlins believed Morgan would have scored on had he slid.

Hayes sustained a separated left shoulder, while Morgan was called out at the plate.

Morgan was already appealing his original ban and said he would be appealing the latest one as well.

"I knocked over a catcher ... they threw the ball at me. Come on, what am I supposed to do?" he said.

"I feel I haven't done anything wrong except for playing the game hard and play the game like it is supposed to be played.

"Wow. I don't know what else to say. I don't think you should be suspended for hitting a catcher. I don't understand what I did wrong to get an eight-game suspension."

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball