Magglio Ordonez-Shoving Up Apologizes … That’s A Good Start

Major League Baseball umpire Paul Schrieber has apologized for shoving Detroit Tigers player Magglio Ordonez during Wednesday night’s game in Minnesota at the Metrodome. The incident led to the ejection of Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who angrily objected to the shove. The shove was not exactly vicious, but neither have some of the ones players have been punished for in the past.

Here is an excerpt from the ESPN story:

Schrieber read a brief statement before the Tigers-Twins series finale on Thursday. He said he “should not have placed my hands on him, period. For doing so, I apologize to both Magglio Ordonez and the Detroit Tigers.”

That is a good start, but as I pointed out in my earlier blog entry, it is not enough. If MLB is to have any credibility, it has to respond in a fashion similar to the way it would if a player shoved an umpire. Also, any punishment Schrieber receives should be above board and made public … as it would be for any player in a similar situation.

ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4166378

UPDATE: I read another part of this statement from Schrieber:

“In yesterday’s game, after I called Magglio Ordoñez out on strikes, I inadvertently placed my hand on his back to usher him away from home plate so that I would not have to eject him for arguing balls and strikes.
“I should not have placed my hand on him. For doing so, I apologize to both Magglio Ordoñez and the Detroit Tigers.”

So, now he is saying it was inadvertant? Not buying that one Paul. He needs an even longer suspension now and a heftier fine. I don’t think it was malicious, but would that be enough of a defense for a player who had shoved an umpire? I doubt it.

Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/article/20090514/SPORTS02/90514071/Umpire+apologizes+for+touching+Magglio+Ordonez