3:07pm: The league has announced the suspensions. Cintron’s will begin immediately. Laureano is appealing his suspension, so his punishment will be held in abeyance until the appeals process has been completed.
1:52pm: Laureano has actually received a six-game suspension, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (via Twitter).
1:41pm: Major League Baseball will announce that Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron and Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano have been suspended for their roles in this week’s brawl between the two teams. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Cintron will receive a 20-game suspension, while Laureano will be suspended for five games (Twitter links). The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, meanwhile, tweets that Laureano’s penalty is still being finalized, so the five-game sum may not yet be set in stone. A formal announcement has not been made but figures to follow shortly.
Cintron’s punishment is the largest ever given to a coach. The former big leaguer was seen clearly goading Laureano from the dugout after Laureano took first base following the second time he’d been hit by a pitch in Sunday’s game. Laureano had some choice words for Houston pitcher Humberto Castellanos as he walked to first base but did not initially take any action toward the Astros. Cintron, however, persisted with verbal barbs and took a step toward Laureano, seemingly daring him to engage in an altercation. Laureano eventually lost his cool and gave in to Cintron’s prodding.
The result, of course, was the exact type of situation that Major League Baseball has sought to avoid in the midst of this pandemic-interrupted season: an on-field brawl in which members of both clubs were in direct physical contact — many without a mask or face covering. Houston catcher Dustin Garneau, a former teammate of Laureano in Oakland, quickly tackled him to the ground and said he did so in an effort to diffuse the situation. Other members of both organizations soon pulled the involved parties apart and managed to quell the fracas, but suspensions for Cintron and Laureano, the brawl’s two central figures, have been widely anticipated since the incident.
For the A’s, the loss of Laureano for nearly a week is significant over the course of a shortened season. The former Astros farmhand was acquired at minimal cost following the 2017 season, but he’s blossomed as a star since debuting in Oakland in 2017. A standout defender with a rocket arm, Laureano has also proven a legitimate threat on the bases and at the plate. In 731 career plate appearances, he’s a .286/.351/.507 hitter with 32 home runs and 21 steals. He’s quite arguably out to the best start of his career in 2020, slashing .263/.405/.491 in 74 plate appearances.
Laureano can still appeal the punishment and push for a reduced suspension, which seems likely to be the case. Assuming he’s still suspended at some point, the A’s can turn to Mark Canha again in center field or recall any of Skye Bolt, Luis Barrera or Dustin Fowler from their alternate site.
Cintron should be relegated to trash duty…oh wait
U could see he was the reason Laureano charged the bench… I mean why would a hitter charge the bench they charge the mound typically. Wish I knew what words he uttered that almost got him thumped. Some people just can’t stop running their mouths. I likely would have reacted in similar fashion to Laureano as a 39 year old father of 4.
It’s hard to hold back. Even harder in competition.
It’s rumored that Cintron was insulting Laureano’s mother, which is a pretty low blow IMO. Not baseball related and just disgusting from an ethical perspective
Also just really dumb. Yo mama digs? Which of his children do you think Cintron stole that comment from?
In Latino culture, insulting one’s mother is an unforgivable offense. Don’t tell me Cintron didn’t know better. Even so, why was he chirping in the first place? A coach’s responsibility is to keep the game under control, especially during this pandemic
Maybe just me, but it was interesting and hilarious how animated/detailed Laureano was giving instruction (to anyone that would listen) on how the pitcher (Castellanos) wasn’t snapping his slider.
What was the most hilarious was Cintron stepping on the field like he was going to fight Laureano but then back peddle to hide behind 5 players. That was the most chicken thing i have ever seen in a baseball fight. Come here and fight me opps he took the bait I better hide so I don’t get hit.
The Astros announcer flips out on Laureano then abruptly shuts up when one of the replays shows an angle that includes Cintron.
Are you shocked that a guy would stoop low. He knew. Guy cheated for his 01 WS ring although his team just out cheated Yankees cheating.
I’m confused. I thought Astros couldn’t be punished?
They have diplomatic immunity. Like the bad guy from lethal weapon 2
Trophy to 92jays for best post of the day
^^
James Browns wife once said that Mr. Brown should have diplomatic immunity as he was the Ambassador of Soul 🙂
PS The bad guy from Lethal Weapon 2 tried the diplomatic immunity defense one too many times 🙂
Well played, well played
That’s only the players.
Not long enough for either.
Cintron’s penalty is a third of the season. That’s a pretty severe penalty
And losing a nobody hitting coach during games has as much impact as losing a starting centerfielder, how?
Astros need to fire Cintron. Can their organization look any worse if they don’t?
Cintron should have been fired as part of trash can gate. He was an integral part of the scheme.
Insulting a player’s mom is par for the course for the level of character in that franchise.
I would say thats fair. What Cintron did to another teams player is inexcusable.
I agree @nats3256. It’s one thing for a heated player to react to being HBP, or for a pitcher to taunt a bitter who just went deep (Madbum style) and for those type of player/player altercations to occur. (Not that I condone them, but I understand how and why they can happen). It’s a whole other thing for Cintron or ANY staff member in the dugout to taunt or engage any player on the opposing team the way he did. It is incredibly unprofessional and a further stain on the Astros and MLB in general. Coaches just can’t do these types of things. Good on MLB for the long suspension. Citron and her Astros deserve it.
So the guy who taunts a player gets 4 times more punishment than the guy who charges the dugout? No justice here.
there would not have been a fight unless Cintron opens his useless mouth
Coaches are supposed to be above this crap, they need to set amp example, he deserves more than what he got.
+1 upvote for Ah-nold, app still doesn’t have the thumbing option.
Ah yes Cora and cheating into 2 championships. Joe Torre encouraging his team to use roids and throw at players heads got him 4 rings.
One guy is a coach. Coaches should not get involved in this nonsense. Laurneo was hit 3 times by the Astros. He never complained. After the 3rd hit he was telling the pitcher that he need to put more movement on his breaking ball. No cursing. No charging. He probably shouldn’t have said anything, but getting hit 3 times is not a great feeling. So I’ll give him a pass. As he goes to first Cintron is instigating and insulting the guy’s mother and asking him to fight. Cintron deserves the longer suspension. There’s absolutely 0 reason for him to be involved.
I always give players passes when they are hit. I’ve been hit by 80+ MPH pitch, it hurts and that”s nothing compared to what MLB pitchers throw.
When a batter gets “punched”, give him his space. He deserves it.
To be fair he was hit with an 83 mph breaking pitch the final time. Still hurts though, just like you stated.
Also to be fair. 3rd time he got plunked in 2 games. So what the span of at most 6 at bats he gets hit 3 times. Id b pissed about it too.
I don’t know what level people have played ball, but when I got hit, I was never in a good mood. I wonder what would have happened if a pitcher popped off to me after I got hit, I doubt I would have done nothing.
The fact you have to say “the final time” is exactly why he was justified to be upset. Even then, took the 40 year old Astro coach to talk about your momma. Then and only then did he explode
Cintron should be canned. Or suspended for the year.
Let’s see, in hockey, what happens when someone leaves the bench?
Cintron definitely shoulders some responsibility here, but I’m a bit conflicted since it was Laurenano that escalated it into a brawl. It’s the same reason I thought Carlos Correa deserved some sort of punishment for the Joe Kelly episode. Kelly obviously instigated things but it was Correa’s escalation that caused the benches to clear and break social distancing.
I guess Cintron is being held to a higher standard because he’s a coach, which is fair.
A coach who keeps antagonizing to instigate a response is the one who caused the escalation. Considering they were just jawing and it was an instant that changed it. We probably will never actually know what Cintron actually said but it had to be pretty derogatory towards Laureano’s mother for him to go from standing and jawing to instantly going after the coach. Being older now, I might not react that quick but in my 20’s, I guarantee that if it was as bad as what it appears to have been, I most likely would have gone nuts on the guy too.
Anyone defending this manager is a fool and I don’t mean to offend you, but if two kids are fighting and then the adult comes in and starts taunting one of the children it is not anyway the child’s fault. Pretty basic common sense if this does not apply to you please comment on a different sporting website :).
Was there justice in hitting a player 3 times in 2 games? Cintron was running his mouth and then hid behind his team. Look at the video.
It’s another instance that a pitcher from A ball isn’t ready and shouldn’t be in the majors.
It’s also another reason that coaches should be held to a higher standard and not engage players. 20 games without pay for Cintron? Ok, but it should also go as a ‘strike’ on his record, just as a ped fail does.
Good idea, Jim. 3 strikes and yer out stuff could be applied going forward.
Faith in humanity at least somewhat restored
Laureano getting a worse punishment than any of the Astros for cheating to win a World Series lol
They should have forced the Astros franchise to sit out of the 2020 season
Kinda looks like the Asstros ARE sitting out the season…..
Nah, a series against the Giants will get them right back into the thick of things.
Every team in the AL west plays the giants this year so its no advantage.
They beat the asstros FYI.
How does Cintron even have a job still?! I am so tired of the Astros in all aspects.
They have a truly uncanny ability to employ an endless supply of a-holes.
this truly reflects on the type of person Jim Crane is…
Yup, a fish rots from the head down.
Baseball fans: it’s a joke that joe Kelly got the longer suspension for talking smack and inciting a fight. He’s not the one who charged!!
Also baseball fans: cintron should be banned from the game for talking smack!!!!
One was a wild pitcher who didn’t hit anyone and was walking away with a pouty face and the other is a “responsible” coach talking about an opponent’s mama and approaching the field in menacing manner. Yes, they were two completely different instances. Weird.
Nice swing b****?
You may want to watch the joe Kelly video again if you think the pouty face is all he did
So what? Words were exchanged both ways. 2 completely different scenarios played out; a coach needs to act like a coach, not an emo teen with issues.
My point went right after your head I guess
No brainer here. Both well deserved. Cintron should get a bit more since he’s not even a player. Coaches should not be instigating players to fight.
A negative war. So glad he’s getting the 20.
Cintron deserves another 20 for hiding behind everyone.
I wish the Jim Crane would take action against Cintron. Show some leadership and be serious about addressing the bad culture that seems to exist throughout the organization.
Change starts from the top and not a lot will change as long as Crane owns the team.
Fish rot from the head down.
I never knew that. I’ll have to start eating suspicious fish from the tail end!
When ever did you see an owner get involved suspending a player or coach on his own team. They were both adults if he was 18 or 60 you get under their skin, saying things to upset them it worked.
Getting hit by pitches hurts. When a player gets hit twice, of course he is going to be upset.
I’m no fan of the A’s, but Cintron should have kept his mouth shut.
what your team did last night was super classy by yelling all of the compliments to Canha about his mom as he walked to first base, and I definitely don’t mean that sarcastically…
I didn’t watch the game last night and the google is not showing anything about this. Can you elaborate?
As Mark Canha walked to first base, he heard from the Angels dugout “I heard your mom is an awesome cook and an amazing role model” haha
Hopefully Cintron doesn’t have a job to come back to. Fire that clown!
Glad Laureano didn’t get hit with 10 games, which was what I was expecting, and surprised Cintron got 20. I figured he’d get 10 as well, but the video footage of Cintron motioning at Laureano to come at him was pretty damning evidence that he instigated it. MLB clearly wanted to send a message with his suspension that starting fights during the pandemic is no bueno.
I think Cintron and Laureano should be allowed to square off and have it. Loser is done for the year, winner takes the field the next day. Done deal.
Based on how quickly Cintron GTFO’d after Laureano came at him, my money is on Ramon.
Jim, you have all the good ideas today! Thanks for sharing with us less fortunate seamheads! haha
So given Cintron denied saying anything derogatory we can now see that the Trashtos still lie and are not able to take any responsibility for their actions.
Coaches should absolutely be held to a higher standard here, and Cintron deserves every game of that 20 game suspension. It will just be another case of a toxic Astros work culture if Crane doesn’t step in and take this even further. I’m beginning to sense a pattern here and it wasn’t Cora, Hinch, or Lunhow that are the common factor…
Sorry don’t agree, both adults making a lot of money playing a game should, have same punishment.
And one is employee level, while the other is management level. Just like In any other industry, the management team of a company has a heck of a lot more culpability for what is wrong with the company. They are in charge.
I’d take Laureano on my team in CF any day.
Not that Cintron isn’t a piece of crap but that seems excessive. MLB is really dropping the hammer this season. I mean, unless you steal signs.
No fight happens if Cintron keeps his mouth shut.
Also Coaches should not be antagonizing players, he should be above this but he does coach on the Astros.
One person used words, the other used action. Crinton deserves some blame but no one made Laureano charge the dugout.
But I’m fine holding coaches to a higher standard.
I’ve never had anyone pop off to me after hitting me, but if they did, you can bet I wouldn’t just take it.
Ok sorry. I didn’t realize you were a tough guy.
While Laureano was in the wrong for charging at Cintron, the hitting coach was denouncing Ramon’s mother. I don’t think you would have much self-control in that situation either- especially after getting beaned (not that it was intentional). A veteran coach should know better
I’m not going to make any assumptions about your conduct so I ask you extend the same courtesy to me.
Like I said, I’m fine holding a coach to a higher standard but, again, no one forced Laureano to start fighting.
Unnecessary Dirtbag.
Go ahead, insult someone’s mother hiding behind other people and see what happens.
Brawling? Why no, we’re peacefully protesting.
Joe jelly never hits one batter and gets 8 games and Laureano for charging trying to fight gets the same 8 games. Mmm yeah . Was rooting for Laureano though lol
And houston aXxholes hit a batter three times and don’t even get a warning!!! Manfreddie needs to move his office to Tx via Cranies house it seems!!!
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” That’s what they used to tell kids, but now baseball punishes a guy 4x the games for inappropriate words rather than the guy who lost his temper and threw punches? Great lesson for kids.
it is a great lesson…coaches should act like adults
Coach was only half of the equation, lack of sac.
coaches are held to a higher standard, so I’d say Mr. -2.2 career WAR gets everything he deserves…
Lol 2.2 wow I did not even think it was that high.
you forgot the negative sign in front of the 2.2
The lesson is that words DO hurt. Otherwise, bullies wouldn’t choose hurtful words against their victims. This is what kids need to learn each and every day.
But it’s ok to throw punches if someone upsets you?
That depends. If a person or group of people is subjected to the same degrading names their entire life, then a physical confrontation might be the best response to the bullying. How many times should someone turn the other cheek before enough is enough? Think about it.
Is it lonely in that boat all by yourself ?
I’m self-confident and don’t need your approval, but thanks for your concern.
Apologist, party of one.
Only 2 people did anything punishable in a benches-clearing brawl in a pandemic.
So Laureano actually brawls and gets 6 games. The pitchers that hit him get zero games. Joe Kelly hit no one but gets 8 games. Is it just me, or does Manfred bend over to cater to the Asstros? They must have some really compromising stuff on him to keep getting the teacher’s pet treatment….
Maybe he’s just “testing out” a new punishment scale. Ya know, like he’s “testing out” a bunch of his other garbage ideas this season.
Keep in mind the Astros have had 10 rookie pitchers this year due to injuries. Many of these were in A and AA ball in past the past year, they didn’t have the best control.
I understand the resentment towards the Astros but many of the player that were on the 2017 team are playing else where and getting away with no punishment as well. They seem to have no comment
I made no reference to the Asstros cheating. My whole point was Manfred’s haphazard punishment scale. For some reason Asstros players are beyond punishment. A bench player tackles Laureano: No punishment. Correa crosses the field to challenge the Dodger dugout: No punishment. Joe Kelly hits no one: 8 games. Asstros pitchers hit the same guy 3 times: No punishment. It’s beyond ludicrous.
Astro owner bought and paid for MLB commissioner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Normal person: Man, I can’t believe that I actually got away with all of this. I should probably just lay low now.
Astros: Hold my beer.
Astros win this one. Losing a coach vs losing one of the A’s best players. Coaches should be tossed immediately whenever they talk at the other team.
Yeah, against a division rival no less. Coach suspensions should include being barred from team activities, not just games.
Have you seen the standings lately? You’re being generous calling Houston a “rival”.
Laureano was a Astro last year never advanced past AA minors.
Laureano has been with Oakland since before the 2018 season, Redwood.
Unless you have a time machine, he was in AA in 2017 and traded that same offseason to the A’s..it’s not hard to, you know, look things up beforehand
Laureano did nothing wrong. He was trying to tell the pitcher in the nicest way possible to turn your wrist. Nothing wrong with that.
Hopefully for his sake he appeals and they reduce it to 2 games. Cintron is an ID10T. He shouldnt have any reduction in suspension of games.
Cintron has been one of the biggest trash talkers for sometime. When I was a young one in 2004 we went to a dbacks spring training game and us kids were gathered asking for autographs and he stopped and glared at us and kept walking telling us to “do something to our mothers” (Spanish insult). Knowing Spanish I knew what he said was terrible, and hearing that he might have said this again didn’t surprise me. What a loser
Just when you think the Astros couldn’t show themselves to be any more classless, you get this. That franchise has a culture problem from the top down.
I’d have suspended Cintron for the remainder of the year. As others have said- he’s a coach, and that means you’re held to a higher standard. You cannot and do not start insulting people’s families. That’s the mark of a jerk and a coward.
Typical Astro’s. What an embarrassment to the league.
I wonder if there is a point, with enough cumulative offenses, MLB could start stripping Houston of draft picks? Force them to change the culture, or force that franchise into the dirt.
Houston A$$holes
Coach is not only a coach, but he’s older and supposed to be more mature. He should be gone for longer and have to issue an apology. Since he has not admitted he said anything it should be doubled. I’m Latino and if some over the hill ,never-was- said something about my mother , I’d wait till batting practice the next day and take him out. Watch the video, that coach needs to be out of baseball. To many people pretending to be men when they know the other guy has too much to lose. Real men shut their mouths and let their actions speak. Watch the video Laureano wasnt even that upset at the pitcher.
Cintron should lose his job. ANY coach should for directly initiating a verbal conflict with an opposing player. Who do you think loses more here, the A’s for losing their starting CF for 1/10th of the season or some nobody coach for the Astros?
Take away his dinner and send him to bed early too!!!!!
Lovely. When are they going to do something about the two moron pitchers playing in Cleveland?
Wait.
I forgot MLB doesn’t give a damn and hasn’t got a single responsible leader in any capacity at any level.
MLB can’t do anything. The players union would never allow it.
Where was the Astros’ field Manager Dusty Baker? He is the one directly handling his coaching personnel which includes this fellow Cintron… Baker should’ve reprimanded this fellow Cintron… Nothing like when Yankees’ manager Billy Martin handled a young shoe start but cocky Reggie Jackson… Those where the days…
*star
Baker was tossed for chirping at the umpire the inning before this happened… he was in the clubhouse
Keep in mind the Astros have had 10 rookie pitchers this year due to injuries. Many of these were in A and AA ball in past the past year, they didn’t have the best control.
I understand the resentment towards the Astros but many of the player that were on the 2017 team are playing else where and getting away with no punishment as well. They seem to have no comment
How do you know he didn’t talk to him?.
what about the asstros players that pounded on laureano? they, again, cannot be punished by manfraud?
I hope we get to hear what Cintron said about his mother
hijo de ==================
I’d fire Cintron. It’s like, when you’re walking to first after getting plunked for a 3rd time, and the opposition’s hitting coach randomly insults your mother, how are you supposed to react? There was absolutely no reason for Cintron to react how he did.
Amazing how many unethical coaches Houston has had over the last 3 years or so
Almost like they had a culture problem. But Manfred said no so that’s not it!
You react as a adult male suck it up and move on it probably cost Laureano 10-25 thousand dollars for saying things to a coach Have a little more class act like a smart athlete DON’T lower your self to the coaches level that make’s you no better
I see some people comparing Ramon Laureano’s suspension to Joe Kelly’s and wondering why Kelly’s is longer. I guess people forget that eight games to a pitcher isn’t the same as eight games to a position player.
Eight games is one start for a starting pitcher, 2-3 games for a reliever, maybe 4 at the most. Pitchers tend to get a little longer suspension than position players for similar offenses because they don’t play everyday (obviously).
In this season, that’s BS. Every game is really important. 162 I get your point. To me it’s moot here
There’s no reason the guy who actually charged the bench got a longer suspension than the guy who MADE FACES
Like cmon
Kelly got the longer suspension.
Kelly also did the beanball thing in the past alsi
Kelly also did the beanball thing in the past too, that’s why the longer time off
Ur mom.
Cintron is beyond pathetic, a 41-year-old man talking smack at a player who just got hit by two pitches in the same game. What a washed-up disgrace for a coach, the toxicity of this organization is boundless
It’s competitive, young guys playing for recognition and lots of money… of course emotions will run high, especially in our current climate. Let the boys play!!!!
Cintrón is a p*ssy. He needs his butt kicked.He caused the issue.
This is the culture Crane endorses. It all starts at the top. Crane is the real issue.
Wow!!!!!!!!! I would have assumed that MLB and The Commish would have automatically waived a Houston suspension / culture cheat.
20 games!?!? That’s just wild
Are they completely ignorant of pandemic protocols? Wide spread contact of this nature likely calls for everyone on both teams to be tested. One positive test on the team means a 14d quarantine for the entire team.
As tempers cool teammates & coaches are going to come to realize just how selfish the actions of all involved were. Ask Clev how that feels.
Naturally, Manfred will have to stiffen punishments to discourage future brawls.
they get tested every day as it is…
Not defending Cintron and his buffoonery (a classier organization would remove him), but…
Who cares what some tool says about your mother? It literally hurts no one if you ignore it.
Laureano could have bought his mom a new kitchen with the money he’s now losing.
It’s a cultural thing. To insult the mother of a Latino person is one of the highest offenses you can say. Clearly Cintron knew this was the easiest way to get under Laureano’s skin
It wasn’t yo momma jokes. It’s like insulting a person’s family heritage
Friendly reminder that there has been zero evidence presented that Cintron actually said anything about Laureano’s mother, other than the word of a known hot-head who charged a dugout full of 40 people. I agree that a coach shouldn’t be engaging in any kind of back and forth with disgruntled opposing players, but let’s not get carried away here. One guy attacked, one guy lost his cool, and as a result about 80 people got way closer than they should be getting at this time.
And if you want to look at the analogous criminal statute, it is well established that mere words are not enough to justify any kind of physical action against another person, no matter what those words are.
Cintron paying for the Astros’ past sins. 20 games is about 19 games too long. Had Laureano stayed on the bag Cintron wouldn’t have seen a suspension or be missing any games.
considering Cintron was front and center in the cheating scandal by doing some of the actual sign relaying, you should rethink what you wrote…
20 games for name calling. No, I’ll stick with what I wrote. Considering he was NOT suspended for this cheating scandal maybe you should rethink ever trying to step up with a imbecilic comment with no merit.