Fistfight Between Two Astros -- One Injured

[dc sports]

Tensions are running high....
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/576479


June 11, 2000, 10:31PM
Mieske, Meluskey engage in scuffle
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2000 Houston Chronicle

SAN DIEGO -- The Astros came out swinging Sunday afternoon -- at each other. Outfielder Matt Mieske was cut on the left side of his face after being punched by teammate Mitch Meluskey during a batting-practice incident before the Astros' game with the San Diego Padres. Mieske needed four stitches after the scrap, which occurred about an hour before the first pitch. Several hundred fans were already in their seats.

"To me it has everything to do with respect," second baseman Craig Biggio said after the Astros' 4-1 loss. "Some people have it, and some people don't. I'm going to leave it at that. There's no way in the world something like that should happen."

According to witnesses, Meluskey was late for his turn in the batting cage and jumped in ahead of Mieske, a six-year veteran. The two exchanged words and engaged in a shoving match before a teammate intervened. As the players were being separated, Meluskey landed a punch to the left side of Mieske's face. Mieske, 32, was escorted by several teammates into the tunnel leading to the visitors' clubhouse below Qualcomm Stadium. He was treated there by Astros trainers.

"It's something I feel bad about," Meluskey said. "It's been a frustrating season. Because of that, it's even worse. It's like we're rolling over and turning against each other." Mieske, who has a locker next to Meluskey's on the road, declined comment on the incident. When asked, he told reporters, "I don't think it's any of your business." Neither player was in the starting lineup for Sunday's game. Meluskey pinch-hit in the ninth inning, striking out against Trevor Hoffman to end the game. Meluskey would not discuss specifics of the fight other than to say, "It wasn't a cheap shot."

The two players got dressed next to each other after the game, neither saying a word to the other, as the team prepared to board a plane to Denver. The Astros begin a three-game series with Colorado on Tuesday. "It's between teammates," said Meluskey, 26. "I plan to sit down and talk to him. We locker next to each other, so it's going to happen sometime."

General manager Gerry Hunsicker, who is not on the team's four-city, 10-game road trip, learned of the incident immediately after it occurred. Hunsicker declined to specify what disciplinary action will be taken, saying only that the matter would be handled internally. He planned to talk privately with both players late Sunday or today. It's unfortunate it happened," Hunsicker said. "It was unprofessional on the part of both parties to engage in something like that in public." Manager Larry Dierker said he would discuss the matter with Hunsicker and had no further comment.

When asked if he was concerned about disciplinary repercussions, Meluskey replied: "I don't think so, because I think it was mutual. There's nothing I can do." Meluskey, who is batting .298 and leads all National League rookies with seven home runs, added: "My hands are tied. They do what they do, but I know what I had to do."

After winning three straight NL Central titles, the Astros stand 22-40 -- the worst record in the majors -- 10 weeks into the season.

"One thing is you have to have a lot of respect for your teammates," said pitcher Jose Lima, who suffered the loss in Sunday's game. "You can't do that. We're family here. We have to pick each other up."

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Stay Cool...

[This message has been edited by dc sports (edited June 12, 2000).]

[RocketMan Tex]

Yesterday's incident, mroe than anything else, illustrates the complete absence of leadership on this team, whether it is in the dugout or clubhouse or on the field. Dierker is too laid back of a manager to provide it, while Bags & Diggio should be providing it but are not. I said it before, and I'll sez it again...

Hunsiker torpedoed this year's Astros team when he traded Carl Everett to the Red Sox!!!!

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Bring It!!