Josh Beckett's Suspension: MLB Adds Insult to Injury

On Sunday, Josh Beckett and the struggling Red Sox suffered yet another loss to the Angels. Beckett was tagged with the loss, and yesterday discovered that he was also tagged with a fine and a six-game suspension by Major League Baseball. 

I have seen the replays of the brushback pitch that Beckett threw at Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu, and it was definitely obvious to me that it was intentional. My problem, however, comes from the idea of no harm no foul.  He was clearly throwing in Abreu's direction, but the ball was at least two feet from his head as it zoomed by.

There was no need for Abreu to be that upset, and he should have just forgotten about it and stepped back into the box instead of whining and complaining. Baseball players are grown men and should act like it. If I were Josh Beckett, I too would have probably started walking towards Abreu for saying I tried to hit him.

How the six-game suspension came about, I have no idea. First of all, Beckett was not even ejected from the game! I have been watching baseball for 20 years and have never seen someone suspended for doing something that the umpires deemed not worthy of an ejection. I mean, Torii Hunter got ejected from that game and he is not receiving a suspension.

Bruises in baseball used to be worn as badges, but now nobody can throw within three feet of a batter, or it becomes malicious intent. It only hurts for a little while, just suck it up. Abreu had no right to accuse Beckett of throwing at him and should have just kept his mouth shut and done his job.