Qualls receives three-game suspension Reliever also fined, says he plans to appeal decision By Alyson Footer / MLB.com ANAHEIM -- Chad Qualls was hoping he wouldn't be disciplined for his ball-throwing incident on Monday, but on Wednesday, he learned he was suspended for his actions. Qualls received a three-game punishment, which he plans to appeal. After blowing a five-run lead in the seventh inning of the opener with the Angels, Qualls threw the ball into the third deck of the stands, above the Astros' dugout. He said later he was acting out of frustration after squandering a lead in a game the Astros eventually lost, 10-9. "I didn't want the ball in my hand anymore," Qualls said after Monday's game. "I didn't want to take it in the dugout with me. I just gave it to a fan in the third row. Maybe some of my friends were sitting up there. Maybe they caught it." Qualls was also fined an undisclosed amount and would have served his suspension beginning Wednesday, but because he appealed, he will be permitted to play in the finale against the Angels. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...t_id=2039140&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
That's ridiculous. Was it the wrong thing to do? Yes...even he'll tell you that. 3 games is a bit much, though. 1 game or some cash woudl have been appropriate.
Relievers always have to be suspended multiple games, or you will simply serve your suspension on a day after you've pitched 2 or 3 days in a row. That's also why starting pitchers always get 5 games minimum, or they would just serve it on their offdays. 3 games is basically the minimum for a relief pitcher.
Do you think MLB disciplined because that was dangerous? What if some dumb fan is sitting up there not paying attention? It's not like Berkman was at the plate and there was a foul ball--your tickets (IIRC) have a disclaimer for that situation. It's between innings; no fan is expecting projectile balls flying into the third deck. Imagine if his launch would have hit some kid. He'd definitely getting a much different kind of run in the media than what he's gotten.
Agreed, it was reckless and the ball could have hit somebody who wasn't expecting it. You pretty much have to give 3 games for a reliever. They're not everyday players so you have to try to make sure they miss at least one game they would have pitched in otherwise. Of course, it might work out that he misses 3 games where Gar wouldn't have used him anyway. It kind of sucks but it's fair.
