Talented and temperamental Dodgers center fielder Milton Bradley was suspended for four games Thursday for his tantrum earlier this week after an ejection.
Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy was suspended for one game. Bradley and Tracy also were fined undisclosed amounts by Bob Watson, baseball's vice president of on-field operations.
Asked whether the penalty was excessive, Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said, ``I don't think that's for me to judge.''
``I would just say, in general, Major League Baseball's made the decision. At this point, we need to adhere to it,'' he said on a conference call.
DePodesta also said he didn't know if Bradley's turbulent past had anything to do with the penalty.
The Dodgers were off Thursday, and the suspensions were set to start Friday when the Dodgers play at Arizona. If Bradley appeals, the suspension will not take effect until a hearing is held.
``I wouldn't be at all surprised if he did (appeal),'' DePodesta said. ``Ultimately, that would be up to him and the players' association.''
Bradley is hitting .271 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs for the NL West leaders. He was suspended for his ``reckless and inappropriate conduct.''
Bradley was ejected by umpire Terry Craft, apparently over balls-and-strikes, as he entered the batter's box in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to Milwaukee.
Tracy restrained Bradley, who then took off his batting gloves and left them near home plate with his bat and helmet.
Rock On \,,/ \,,/
Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy was suspended for one game. Bradley and Tracy also were fined undisclosed amounts by Bob Watson, baseball's vice president of on-field operations.
Asked whether the penalty was excessive, Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said, ``I don't think that's for me to judge.''
``I would just say, in general, Major League Baseball's made the decision. At this point, we need to adhere to it,'' he said on a conference call.
DePodesta also said he didn't know if Bradley's turbulent past had anything to do with the penalty.
The Dodgers were off Thursday, and the suspensions were set to start Friday when the Dodgers play at Arizona. If Bradley appeals, the suspension will not take effect until a hearing is held.
``I wouldn't be at all surprised if he did (appeal),'' DePodesta said. ``Ultimately, that would be up to him and the players' association.''
Bradley is hitting .271 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs for the NL West leaders. He was suspended for his ``reckless and inappropriate conduct.''
Bradley was ejected by umpire Terry Craft, apparently over balls-and-strikes, as he entered the batter's box in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to Milwaukee.
Tracy restrained Bradley, who then took off his batting gloves and left them near home plate with his bat and helmet.
Rock On \,,/ \,,/
