Barrett gets 10 game suspension; Sox CF Anderson, 5.

[Red Leader]

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Major League Baseball on Friday handed Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett a 10-game suspension and fined him an undisclosed amount for punching Chicago White Sox counterpart A.J. Pierzynski last Saturday, leading to a bench-clearing incident.

In the second inning of the White Sox's 7-0 victory at U.S. Cellular field, Pierzynski bowled over Barrett in beating a throw to the plate from left fielder Matt Murton. Making sure he was ruled safe on the play, Pierzynski emphatically slapped his hand on the plate. He then bumped into Barrett, who grabbed him and punched him in the jaw.

Barrett then was tackled by Scott Podsednik as both benches spilled onto the field. Amid the flurry, White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson threw a punch at Cubs first baseman John Mabry, who was taken to get X-rays of his ribs after the game.

Anderson was handed a five-game suspension and fined an undisclosed amount for his role in the brawl, while White Sox third base coach Joey Cora was given a two-game suspension and fined an undisclosed amount for his aggressive actions.

Pierzynski was fined an undisclosed amount for his conduct during the incident.

All three suspensions are slated to begin Friday, when the Cubs host Atlanta and the White Sox visit Toronto. Anderson and Barrett may appeal their suspensions.

[RedsBaron]

I think a 20 to 25 game suspension of Barrett would have been in order.

[kbrake]

That seems extremely light.

[Joseph]

I like a good brawl, I wish this MLB fraternity of players thing would stop and it would be more team oriented so we had some more real brawls.

Ok, I'm mostly kidding. The suspension was a tad light.

[WMR]

Wow a punch like that to the face only gets 10 games?!

[oneupper]

Will Barrett miss the REDS series?

[cumberlandreds]

Originally Posted by oneupper

Will Barrett miss the REDS series?

He will if he doesn't appeal. But most players appeal so he will most likely be available.

[CTA513]

Originally Posted by oneupper

Will Barrett miss the REDS series?

I hope he does because the other catcher Blanco is batting .051 right now.

[37red]

I think he should be benched for every game with the Reds

[registerthis]

It was probably a 25 game suspension until the league office realized he had punched A.J. Pierzynski, at which point they reduced the suspension to 10 games.

[Red Leader]

Originally Posted by cumberlandreds

He will if he doesn't appeal. But most players appeal so he will most likely be available.

Michael Barrett appealed the 10-game suspension handed down by MLB and is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Braves.

[kbrake]

Originally Posted by registerthis

It was probably a 25 game suspension until the league office realized he had punched A.J. Pierzynski, at which point they reduced the suspension to 10 games.

Yeah I was thinking earlier if this were the other way around and it had been Pierzynski throwing the punch it would have been at least 25 games.

[KronoRed]

They should change that, you should sit while you appeal

and SP suspensions should be multiplied by 5

[cincinnati chili]

Originally Posted by KronoRed

They should change that, you should sit while you appeal

and SP suspensions should be multiplied by 5

The problem is that the appeals usually don't occur within 10 games or whatever. So they kinda have to keep it this way.

Multiplying by 5 might be a little harsh, but I"m okay with multiplying by 2. You have to remember that teams have to play a man short of the 25-man roster for every guy who's suspended.

[oneupper]

In jail when you appeal, you get ANOTHER week in the hole.