Suspension Tension

[Guest Edgy DC]

I don't know what the status is on Anderson's and Milledge's suspension appeals, but the papers are carrying reports on the hearings with something of a livid Marlon:

Anderson Takes a Cut at the Umpire Who Ejected Him

By BEN SHPIGEL

Published: September 27, 2007

Marlon Anderson was optimistic after his hearing that his two-game suspension would be reduced, but said he left Major League Baseball�s offices feeling �sick to my stomach� after reading the report filed by the umpire who ejected him for arguing a called third strike in the ninth inning of the Sept. 15 game against Philadelphia.

Anderson, who most likely received the suspension for flinging his helmet toward the plate, said the umpire, Dan Iassogna, wrote that Anderson had used profane language in three instances.

�Anyone who knows me knows that I don�t use that kind of language,� Anderson said.

He added, �It�s amazing that a grown man can write all these lies and not even show up and defend himself.�

Anderson said he was encouraged to learn that another umpire, Mike Winters, was suspended for the rest of the regular season after a heated confrontation with San Diego�s Milton Bradley on Sunday, because it demonstrated that players have recourse when they feel they have been wronged.

�My reputation speaks a lot, and I don�t like my reputation being dragged through the mud like this,� Anderson said.

Anderson said he expected a decision on his suspension by this morning. But either way, the Mets can expect to be without Anderson, their best pinch-hitter, for at least one game. Since joining the Mets in mid-July, Anderson has batted .370 (10 for 27) as a pinch-hitter, and his 14 pinch-hits this season are tied for the third most in baseball.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Milledge, I believe, has served his suspension. Willie Randolph may not have been informed of that, since Lastings hasn't appeared in a game since his suspension ended.

(His three days were Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.)

[Guest sharpie]

Let's hope he's told by Saturday as the Marlins throw two lefties to end the season.

[metirish]

Didn't Willie play Gomez last night for his defence with the rookie pitching?, which says a lot about Milledge's defense.I think his D has improved though as the season went on.

[Frayed Knot]

I think Gomez has been out there in deference to Beltran's reduced speed.

[Valadius]

Milledge's D has considerably improved. The thing he most has to work on, though, is cutting down on those late breaks toward the ball.

[Frayed Knot]

Appeal denied.
Marlon out today & Friday.