Blue Jay Lawrie gets 4-game suspension for hitting umpire with helmet

[Renew Deal]

Major League Baseball has suspended Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie for four games for an outburst Tuesday in which he threw his batting helmet, which bounced off the ground and struck umpire Bill Miller.

In the ninth inning of Tuesday's game in Toronto against the Tampa Bay Rays, Lawrie faced Rays closer Fernando Rodney. With a count of three balls and one strike Lawrie took back-to-back pitches from Rodney. Miller called both strikes, sending Lawrie back to the dugout.

Trouble was, when the third strike was called, Lawrie had already taken two steps toward first base, thinking he had drawn a walk. He spun around, took two steps back in the direction of the umpire and threw his batting helmet to the ground. It bounced up and struck Miller.

Besides the four games, Lawrie was also fined an undisclosed amount, according to a report on MLB.com.
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http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/blue-jay-lawrie-gets-4-game-suspension-for-hitting-umpire-with-helmet

4 games for that is a joke! Apparently it's OK to assaut umpires in MLB.

[bluedigger]

1. You're kidding, right?

A completely appropriate response to an inappropriate reaction.

[Renew Deal]

2. It's not even close to appropriate unless you think it's OK to assault umpires.

Don't take my word for it. The MLB analysts said it should be more than 5 games.

[Swede]

3. I hope when he appeals it's reduced to none,maybe one.

Bluejays are getting burned on the calls again this year.

[Renew Deal]

4. So according to you, the umpire deserved it.

Because assaulting referees is what should happen when you disagree with their calls.

[Swede]

6. He threw his helmet,didn't mean to hit him.

You should try some pepto bismol for your upset stomach.

[Renew Deal]

7. How do you know he didn't try to hit him?

It sure looked like it on the video.

[JonLP24]

5. I guess it would be considered

the legal definition of assault but what I consider assault is purposely striking someone w/ or without a weapon. In this case the helmet bounced off the ground and hit the ump. You could say it was intentional but I think if it was, he'd go straight for it rather than rely on a bounce. Should have he known it would bounce and hit the ump, probably but at the moment he just threw it down not likely thinking about that. Yes, he should be suspended but what I saw wasn't what I was expecting when I read the word "assault".

[Auggie]

8. Should have been more

Don't fuck with the ump. They are god-like while on the field and have absolute and final authority.

I wonder if the fan was ejected too?

[Son of Gob]

9. How games did the umpire get for being a blind asshole?

[Renew Deal]

10. When did you stop beating your wife?

[Son of Gob]

11. This morning.

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. Well... It's a start.

[Renew Deal]

13. lol