Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly was suspended eight games for inciting a benches-clearing incident on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park by throwing at the head of Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was suspended one game. He will not manage on Wednesday against the Astros. Kelly is appealing the decision, so he is available to pitch during Wednesday’s series finale.
Astros manager Dusty Baker received a fine from Major League Baseball, too. When Baker spoke to reporters prior to Wednesday's game, he said Major League Baseball had not contacted him about Tuesday's incident. The league released its punishment less than two hours later.
Kelly’s actions were the first act of retaliation against the Astros since their 2017 sign-stealing scheme was revealed this offseason. Houston defeated the Dodgers in seven games for the 2017 World Series title.
The penalty sets quite a precedent for any opponents who may attempt to exact revenge against the Astros. Kelly’s eight-game suspension in this 60-game season is the equivalent to a 22-game ban during a 162-game season.
Dodgers players spent most of spring training discrediting the title and launching insults toward Astros players during their apology tour.
Cody Bellinger said the Astros “stole the ring” from the Dodgers and Jose Altuve “stole” the 2017 American League MVP from Aaron Judge. Correa fired back, telling Bellinger to stick to “facts” or “shut the … up.”
Pitcher Ross Stripling said he’d “lean toward” throwing at the Astros intentionally, prompting Baker to plead with Major League Baseball to stop “seemingly premeditated” plans for retaliation.
"I think it would be wishful thinking to think that we were just going to come in here and play two games and nothing combative that happened such as last night," said Stripling, a Texas A&M product. "And Joe is as good candidate as anyone to stir something up even though he wasn't on that 2017 team. You could just tell he was as fired up as anyone."
On Tuesday, Kelly threw a 3-0 fastball behind Bregman’s head in the sixth inning of Houston’s 5-2 loss. He buzzed two breaking balls inside against Correa before eventually striking him out. Baker called the throws toward his players’ heads “dirty baseball.”
According to Baker, as the teams left the field, Kelly told Correa “nice swing, bitch,” enraging the Astros dugout. Both benches cleared, but no punches were thrown.
In its announcement, Major League Baseball noted Kelly’s previous suspension for intentionally throwing at Yankees infielder Tyler Austin during the 2018 season. Kelly hit Austin in the back, sparking a benches-clearing brawl. He was suspended six games and did not have it reduced on appeal.
Major League Baseball also alluded to Kelly’s taunting of Correa. Kelly stuck out his tongue toward Correa and stuck out his lower lip to mimic a whining child. Baker made it seem as if it was what prompted the Astros’ bench to clear.
Part of Major League Baseball’s health and safety protocols during this pandemic-shortened season specifically prohibit a player or manager from leaving this position to come within six feet of an opponent or umpire. Most players were not in masks and definitely did not maintain social distance.
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Dodgers' Joe Kelly suspended 8 games after throwing at Astros - Houston Chronicle
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