Delmon Young was suspended 50 games without pay for tossing a bat at a (replacement) umpire earlier in the season after being called out on strikes. This will cost him about $145,000, according to ESPN.
Personally, I think the sentencing is just right. That’s a huge chunk of the season, and he needs to learn that his actions have consequences, not only to himself but to those around him. If the Durham D-Rays spiral as a result of this (though if they’re anything like the parent club, they’re already spiraling), he’s going to be a lonely man in the clubhouse. Worse, this act certainly caught the eye of the major league umps, who will have a very short fuse when dealing with him, much like they appear to have with Milton Bradley.
The only thing I will say in Delmon’s defense is: did you see the pitch? He was right, that wasn’t anywhere near the strike zone.
