The MLB announced suspensions and fines to White Sox’s Tim Anderson, six games, and Guardians’ José Ramírez, three games, after their brawl Saturday night.
Managers Terry Francona of the Guardians and Pedro Grifol of the White Sox, and Guardians third base coach Mike Sarbaugh have been suspended for one game. Cleveland pitcher Emmanuel Clase also got a one-game suspension for his role in the fight.
Along with the suspensions, added undisclosed fines are being charged. Two other players are being fined but not suspended, White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech and Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias. Both Chicagos’ Anderson and Clevelands’ Ramírez will appeal for their skirmish but the others will serve their one-game suspension immediately.
At Progressive Field in Cleveland, punches were thrown by Anderson and Ramírez after a tag play, as words were exchanged at second base. The All-star third baseman slid between Anderson’s legs, and after pointing at his head, the two 30-year-olds began to square off.
“He said he wanted to fight,” Ramírez told reporters after the game. “And if he wanted to fight, I had to defend myself.”
The two were jawing for a few minutes while the bullpens of both teams emptied prior to punches being thrown.
“I’m not sure I know everything,” Francona said about the brawl. “Before it started, I know Anderson was yelling at (Gabriel) Arias – I think the umpire went and told him to knock it off – and then when José slid into second, I think José felt like he kind of stood over him. Then things got away from everybody.”
All those involved were ejected from the game, including the names suspended. For reference on previous suspensions due to fighting, Rougned Odor was suspended eight games (reduced to seven after appeal) for punching José Bautista back in 2016. Odor was a part of the Texas Rangers and Bautista was on the Toronto Blue Jays at the time. The suspensions given to Anderson and Ramírez are likely to be one less game but if not, aren’t as bad as some previous cases.
“I’m going to let MLB figure this out. They have some work to do,” Grifol said following the game. He added Anderson, who did not speak to reporters after the game, was not hurt in the brawl, even though he did take a swing to the head by Ramírez.
For Cleveland, the result of their suspensions from the swings take on the field is worse for them, compared to Chicago, since the Guardians have a playoff spot on the line. Lacking score-getters, the Guardians not having Ramírez for any period of time hurts them the most over the White Sox not having Anderson.
Cleveland was no-hit earlier in the week by the Houston Astros and was being no-hit by Kopech into the sixth inning Saturday. With their star first baseman Josh Naylor out for a few weeks due to an oblique strain, the Guardians will need some help with both their two best players out for a while.
The White Sox won their series over the Guardians 2-1 over the weekend. Chicago won that game with the brawl 7-4, but are out of contention at 45-68 and ranked fourth in the AL Central. Cleveland is second in the AL Central at 54-58 and fourth and a half games back behind the first-place Minnesota Twins.
