3:33pm: Chapman will appeal his suspension, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com was among those to report.
3:01pm: Major League Baseball has issued suspensions to Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and manager Aaron Boone for their conduct during Tuesday’s win over Tampa Bay. Rays manager Kevin Cash also received a short ban. Chapman will sit for three games, while the two managers will be suspended for a game apiece. Boone and Cash will serve those penalties in the clubs’ matchup Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Whether Chapman will actually miss three games remains to be seen, as he could appeal his ban in an effort to reduce it. However, MLB noted in its statement that Chapman “intentionally” threw at the head of the Rays’ Mike Brosseau in the teams’ game Tuesday, which could make it harder to land a reduced ban. Chapman uncorked a 101 mph fastball at Brosseau at a time when the Yankees were nursing a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth inning of an important game. With their victory, the Yankees moved to within 3 1/2 games of Tampa Bay in the American League East.
Chapman went on to strike out Brosseau to finish the game, but it got heated afterward. Both benches cleared, and the two division rivals continued taking shots at one another during postgame interviews. Cash fired back at the Yankees, saying the Rays have “a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 mph,” which seemed to suggest they wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate against the Bronx Bombers. Boone called Cash’s comment “pretty scary,” meanwhile, and Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier admitted that neither side likes one another. The two teams’ disdain toward one another could make a September division race and perhaps a playoff series even more interesting.
Thankyou_DanJohnson2008
Smart! Way to step up MLB. Not a good look.
FredMcGriff for the HOF
Chapman such a nice guy…
TorturedBJfan
Theres no nice guys in cuba
25strikes
Ok I made an account just to say,
You see how that’s hateful and xenophobic right?
StPeteStingRays
Bjfan, you couldn’t find Cuba in a map if it hit you in the head
TorturedBJfan
i actually been to cuba, cant say the same for u tampa man
StPeteStingRays
Listen lipshitz, I was stationed on the island. Try again, you insensitive c u next Tuesday
BobGibsonFan
Does Brosseau look like Chapman’s girlfriend?
higgy5220
So it’s cool to cash when his team does it, but when teams respond their he scumbags. Adds up.
all in the suit that you wear
Matt Barnes got a 4 game suspension for intentionally throwing near Manny Machado’s head, but Chapman only gets 3 games. More unfairness from Manfred.
whimsy
Joe Kelly got 8 games (reduced to 5 after his appeal) for throwing at Bregman. Manfred has to protect the Astros and Yankees. These are the only two teams that matter (this is sarcasm for those who can’t tell).
jonscriff
What exactly did Aaron boone do or say to get a suspension????????????
KG25Baseball
Kinda like when Roberts got suspended when Kelly threw at the Astros, they get suspended whenever their players do some thing wrong
pasha2k
He didn’t control his player.
soul22
Managers are responsible for the actions of their players
mlbnyyfan
They are blaming Boone for possibly ordering the code Red
bobtillman
“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!”
everlast73
May be because Chapman got suspended. Similar to how when a pitcher gets ejected the manager or acting manager goes too.
TorturedBJfan
he technically told the reporter that he will not get into it. So if he wont elaborate than rob will throw the ban hammer
Roll
benches clear during covid pretty much means coach is getting a suspension. Also 100mph+ pitch at a players head doesnt help an argument.
xpackyank
That’s BS for Chapman. Any Yankee fan could tell you he’s erratic on a good day and this was only is 3rd time pitching since his COVID return. 3 days is ridiculous.
Larmando
Relax , he will appeal and I’m sure he’ll only get one game
Kemajic
Doubt it; Cash would really go nutso if that happened.
xpackyank
Hope so, he shook of Higgys slider for the fastball inside so hope he just missed. Can’t imagine the intent in a must win game
SoxRewl
Any Yankee fan would make up some BS like your comment to defend their dirty players.
Kemajic
Really? Who are the “dirty players” on the NYYs?
Johnny Vegas
Chapman for sure:-)
fair-critic
If today was opposite day
kc38
Remember when Sanchez was sucker punching someone in the head in the Detroit fight? Then you have a 3b coach who can’t keep their mouth shut. The whole team is full of punks and all they do is run their mouth
Ducky Buckin Fent
@kc38
It wasn’t Gary Sanchez you are recalling in that event.
Ironically enough, it was Austin Romine. Ya know… Detroit’s catcher?
kc38
No it was 100% Gary Sanchez. It was the Yankees catcher lmao if you knew anything about baseball. It started with miggy and Romine and eventually as people were tackled there is video of Sanchez punching someone in the head who is down on the ground. It was big news at the time that he was sucker punching someone who couldn’t do anything. Typical Yankees stuff
kc38
But I’m gonna sit back and laugh for a little while that you thought the Yankees catcher played for the tigers
Ducky Buckin Fent
See now I’d’ve gone with Romine as the answer there. He’s wearing catchers gear. He came from behind.
Also, here’s a pro tip: When you’re in some kind of huge brawl the only thing to do is just hit as many of their guys as you can in any way.
But you do you.
While you’re laughing you may want to check the Tiger’s roster.
(Hint…the catcher position is noted with a ‘C’)
BobGibsonFan
Romine was a Yankee at the time of the brawl. Sanchez was doing his Dirty Sanchez.
xpackyank
Bro do you watch the games/know the history? Tampa was pulling this Bs long before Yanks/CC fought back. See the Romine head throwing incident/Plunking of Sanchez/Voit following Lemahieu Hr to start
kc38
Pitching inside is a part of the game my friend. Nobody was purposely throwing at Romines head, it was kittredge who was absolutely horrible at that time.
yankees500
You must be a Rays fan because they have absolutely been throwing at the Yankees heads for the past couple years. youtube.com/watch?v=natkTw2vhQw
kc38
It really doesn’t matter who I’m a fan of I’m a very even keeled person and I call it how I see it. I honestly feel bad for New Yorkers and the Yankees who think they’re that special that everyone is out to get them but they aren’t. The rays have made some bad pitches but haven’t anytime recently hit a Yankee intentionally or threw near anyone’s head on purpose. Go watch the mlb network breakdown today and maybe you’ll understand. The rays love pitching inside well when you have a ton of guys who throw hard with not the best command those pitches inside are gonna run even more inside. So how do you fix it? Are we supposed to just lay them over the plate so nobody gets upset? Poor Yankees
higgy5220
You don’t keep pitching inside and come close to guys heads and say oh well it wasn’t intentional, and not expect some sort of response.
higgy5220
Garcia literally did the same thing to DJ on Monday
averagejoe15
‘BS’ lol even the Yankees broadcast thought it was intentional. Maybe teach your team to make better decisions or reap the consequences.
xpackyank
Dude think of the context. These are must win games vs a division rival who were up 7-1 in the series. It doesn’t make sense to put a runner on with the game tieing
xpackyank
Batter at plate. Chapman just blew a game days ago he can’t be that cocksure.
osonvs
Don’t defend what Chapman did. It’s BS. The guy has no problems hitting his girlfriend so I’m sure he has no problems hitting an apposing player!
Jim A.
So original.
osonvs
The truth usually is! Abusers deserve to be criticized for the rest of their lives as they clearly don’t care about the lives of others
xpackyank
Lol no MLBTR commentator is in Chaps inner circle and knows what truly happened so let the off-field stuff slide and focus on the situation. Why would Chap put tieing run at plate in must win game?
JaysForDays
Tying, Ffs. Learn to spell.
AtlSoxFan
Riiight.
The wall jumped out to attack chapman. He shot it 8 times in self defense. Then, when his girlfriend attempted to save her true love, the wall, he was enraged by the infidelity with mr sheetrock and choked her in the heat of passion.
Totally justifiable.
Roll
If he is so erratic why is he one of the highest paid relievers and been so for many years. In the end he knows what he did and everyone knows why he did it but once the benches clear and you are the reason you probably getting a little timeout.
looiebelongsinthehall
No excuse. He’s being paid big bucks and no pitcher should be out there throwing up and in if they can’t control their throws. That said, this was intentional.
Skeptical
Any baseball fan who has followed Chapman’s career will tell you that he is often intentionally wild in an attempt to intimidate the batter. Three games not enough.
luclusciano
Hmmm die hard Yankee fan here and them at made me cringe. He’s a lefty that threw behind a righty. That’s a red flag – and I get it – but 100 mph at someone’s head. And without flinching.
pasha2k
Chapman deserved more than 3 games, at least what Kelly got. Sheesh
mlbnyyfan
Chapman was not throwing at him. Why would he do that in a must win only up two runs.
S_man_2014
Hard to prove intent, but does Chapman take 3 steps toward home plate after every pitch he throws like he did against Brosseau last night?
xpackyank
^^^mlbnyyfan EXACTLY!!!
Kemajic
It was clear Kelly’s was intentional and a message regarding the cheating. And it was appealed down to 6. Chapman is wild on a good day.
socalbum
Kelly’s lack of control makes Chapman look like the next coming of Greg Maddux.
AtlSoxFan
But we’re talking pitching. Not firearm handling.
S_man_2014
Only 3 games for Chapman?? Joe Kelly got 9 games for a similar throw. Why the disparity?
GareBear
I’d imagine it came down to MLB having given teams, managers, and players prior warning against taking vigilante justice against the Astros. Historically 3ish games is closer to normal. Not saying it’s right or wrong but I imagine it’s the argument MLB made
socalbum
Kelly’s previous discipline history for throwing at hitters was a major reason for the harsher penalty
Oddvark
Kelly also threw at multiple players that game, tried to instigate a confrontation afterwards, and has a history of intentionally throwing at players. He deserved a longer suspension. And his was one of the first incidents of inciting a potential bench clearing brawl during COIVD, and MLB undoubtedly wanted to send an early message that this was not OK during this season in particular.
It’s also hard to establish that Chapman’s pitch was intentional, given the game situation (late in a 2 run game against your primary division rival is a terrible time to put a runner on base) and the fact that he just recently started pitching in game situations.
Kemajic
You need to do some fact checking before you post your BS. Kelly was given 8 days originally and reduced to 6 on appeal.
S_man_2014
Apologies, he was suspended 8 games, but it was reduced to 5 games upon appea
mlbtraderumors.com/2020/08/joe-kelly-suspension-re…
Looks like we both need to do our fact checking..
beisbolista
The disparity is due to the fact that the Astros are a protected class. Joe Kelly should not have even been suspended, let alone for a large percentage of the season. Message to all: cheat with no consequences.
josiahdd
You have no clue what happened with Joe Kelly, do you? If so, your question would answer itself.
S_man_2014
What happened with Joe Kelly, Please explain?
BobGibsonFan
Because Chapman is a Yankee.
toooldtocare
Didn’t see or hear what precipitated the incident. Bad blood earlier in game?
Shaun owens
Almost two years ago, Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge threw near then-Yankees catcher Austin Romine’s head.
It set off one of the more memorable nights in recent Yankees history, with CC Sabathia following up by plunking a Rays hitter, getting ejected and then yelling, “That’s for you, b****!” at Tampa Bay’s dugout on his way off the field.
And this season a lil hit batter here and there .
yankees500
youtube.com/watch?v=natkTw2vhQw
This video sums it up really well without being biased.
kc38
You can continue to share links in the comments maybe soon you’ll realize that doesn’t work
BobGibsonFan
Notice his control was great after the warning… what a coincidence.
mvpetro
Wow suspend Cash longer than Boone. Cash threatened players with his “whole damn stable of guys who throw 98 miles per hour comment “ Plus he admitted to intentionally throwing at Romine a few years ago. Chapman suspicion obviously deserved.
Kemajic
Good thing it wasn’t an Astro hitter; AC would have gotten 8 games.
Will Glover
Once again, MLB has suspended someone else other than the Astro Players.
socalbum
Why no team penalties (fines) for failing to follow safety protocols?
theheretic
Not sure how Cash isn’t gone for longer. He threatened to order his pitchers to throw at others. That’s irresponsible and not a good look
averagejoe15
Less irresponsible than actually doing it. I do agree though it sets a terrible example. I also see it as more of a threat to the league office to suspend Chapman than to the Yankees themselves.
kc38
This was 100% a comment to have people take the situation seriously and actually give a good look into what’s going on. No manager is gonna say go out there and start beaming people, for one gonna put your team into a fight and lose players to suspension and let alone winning the game is harder by putting players on base for no reason. When you’re in first place in this short season the rays aren’t gonna give in to the crybabies temptation and risk everything they have to lose. Also I dig Boone playing the crybaby democratic politician role and saying “that’s scary” shut up dude lol you sound like a joke
xpackyank
A professional MLB manager making a threat of throwing 98 MPH is a joke dude. The Rays have a history of this BS dating back to the Romine/CC incident.
P.S Your GOP macho BS is for the birds lmao
xpackyank
A professional MLB manager making a threat of throwing 98 MPH is a joke dude. The Rays have a history of this BS dating back to the Romine/CC incident.
kc38
I’m sure you’ve never said anything in an angry mindset that you’d take back. You’re a complete fool if you actually think he was gonna tell his guys to start hitting batters you’re an idiot. The Rays have 0 history of doing this lmao the Rays didn’t even hit anyone it was just high and inside and cc the typical baby he is like every other pampered yankee thought he was gonna be a hero and hit someone. Actually going to hit someone on purpose like tanaka and cc is much worse than a manager saying what cash said lmao. You look like a fool saying oh my gosh did you hear cash while your players are the ones actually throwing the balls at people on purpose
WarkMohlers
Why would cash have someone get hit when the rays division lead just shrank? Same As your argument as why would Chapman hit someone and bring the tying run to the plate?
We can assume tons of stuff but you cant play favorites because you like the Yankees.
raysdaze
For those wondering, last night’s HBP of the #Rays Joey Wendle was not only the highest velocity of any pitch Tanaka threw last night, it was the highest velo on any HBP in his career, and only the 4th LHB he had ever hit with his FB. It came right after he threw behind Wendle.
jdgoat
So in other words the Yankees had their diapers full for some reason last night.
raysdaze
Yanks fans should be thrilled yank mega-slurper Manfred didn’t suspend Tanaka, rather than crying about Cash suspension. Wonder how long before the Blue Jays over-take yanks in standings?
therealryan
They don’t like how the small market Rays keep embarrassing them on the field.
xpackyank
Lol RealRyan you’ll be lucky if you don’t lose you’re team to a foreign country. And suspend Tanaka for what? Pitching inside? Lol you Rays fans crack me up
DTD_ATL
Only a fool believes he didn’t hit Wendle on purpose
raysdaze
“you rays fans crack me up”…says the clown who can’t read and didn’t watch the game.
Since you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, maybe do a quick google search bc Tanaka HIT Wendle in the 1st inning…
therealryan
8-2 and 4.5 game lead.
2-8 and 4.5 games back.
The first sentence is how I read the Rays record against the Yankees this year and their place in the standings. The second sentence is how Yankee fans read it.
xpackyank
Stop that BS dude. Tanaka took a comebacker to the face this season, he has no history of overly HBP, he’s not the guy like CC to make statements like that.
raysdaze
HA! Wow, solid logic. He took a comebacker to the dome, so it’s utterly impossible for him to throw at someone.
Don’t forget to do your homework before bed time kiddo, or mom and dad wont let you watch the Rays thrash the Yanks tonight.
pinterman
A ratings win for MLB and will possibly turn a boring and awful excuse for a baseball season into something worth watching.
driftcat28 2
Why did this even start? Was something said pregame that resulted in throwing at the Rays
Oddvark
The Rays have purportedly been pitching high and tight to Yankees players on a frequent basis this year, apparently just as strategy to “own the plate” and not to physically hurt them, but the Yankees still didn’t like all those pitches close to their heads.
Ducky Buckin Fent
As a Yankee (& baseball) fan:
– don’t mind throwing inside. don’t mind seeing a guy get drilled, actually. but, damn. 101 head high is crazy stuff. like shoot a pistol in your garage when you’re p!ssed kinda crazy stuff.
– where the hell was all this outrage when the damn *Astros where whistling & bangin on trash cans? if you’re not going to drill a guy then…well, why the hell do it over anything?
WarkMohlers
Where was the outrage when the Astros story broke? It was all over every sports news outlet for weeks and is still an issue now. This is just a few hours old so obviously it has moved to the top of the days news.
xpackyank
Lol that’s a real close comparison between the Astros cheating scandal and a couple wild/inside pitches
Ducky Buckin Fent
That’s my point.
Either Chapman completely lost his mind (possible!) or a pitch got away from him.
If Boone didn’t have guys thrown at over some bush league bs that guys have been getting drilled over for a hundred years (i.e. whistling from the dugout) *why on Earth* would he have someone throw at a batter last night.
Makes no sense.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Well, now, this could be a chance for a grand experiment! There are plenty of new/odd rules for this season already… Maybe a Yankees/Rays series could be the test case for settling a tie after nine with a good old fashioned free for all brawl! Last team who has a chance of fielding a nine player team the next day is declared the winner!
WarkMohlers
I’d like to see that. Or each team has a designated brawler. They don’t play, just sit in a rusty cage and wait. Maybe put a sign showing the days since the last fight and their record.
lowtalker1
Of course he will. He will still get suspended… he straight up threw heat at a dudes head. At least get them in the meaty part of the body
fair-critic
Chapman wouldn’t give a HBP when it puts the tying/winning runs on base or at bat. Dumb@*$ Rays. Their manager needs a season van for threatening to make every one of his pitchers give HBP’s. And give 9 games to the Ray that instigated the brawl.
kc38
Yeah he was gonna have all his pitchers hit someone and give them a free base and get his players suspended when a fight insues. Sounds exactly like something a 1st place team would do to their biggest rival
DJC 4
Please enlighten us as to which Ray instigated things last night.
Andrew Kittredge who threw inside in 2018?
Already out for the season.
And fatass Sabathia already answered by blatantly plunking Sucre that very same game.
Don’t speak unless you know what you’re talking about.
Typical Yankee Honk, lol
goldenmisfit
Chapman can be a Radick at times and this is only his third outing since returning. Also why when this was a must when would he purposely throw a batter and risk bringing the tying run to the plate. This is absolutely ridiculous and I have no doubt he suspension will be reduced.
WarkMohlers
Chronicles of Radick
denistaylor
Threatening the Yankees? Two things wrong with this: (1) Re Chapman…What happened to the Rays stance on BLM? (2) Whatever happened to Rusty the fan host’s saying…”That’s not the ‘Ray’s way?'”
imindless
Why does Manfred half to ruin the game? The best rivalries are the ones in which batters get hit by rival squads leads to tension and adds a level of intrigue. Manfred basically condones cheating and will protect you for doing so.
angryyanksfan
Chapman has a worse punishment than any cheating Astros ever
xpackyank
Lmao
pasha2k
I need to fully agree with you about Houston players. I do not condone any pitch near head, but I do think Houston players need to be made to answer for their cheating.
angryyanksfan
Now that Boone is suspended the Yanks have a chance to be well managed for once. Enjoy it while it lasts!
xpackyank
Lmao at this too
pasha2k
Yeah I think Boone is average at best as manager. It’s easy when given an all star roster.
wild bill tetley
Was it really intentional?
Can’t prove it in a court of law.
No reason Boone should be suspended. If a manager could control players they’d have a job for 25 years.
Kevin Cash should have kept quiet. That way he could say, “I have no idea why the ball slipped out of my pitcher’s hand!”
Keep crowding the plate and expect some close calls. That is reality.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Chapman likes to treat opposing batters like a woman in a garage.
Fires it right by their head to make sure they know he means business.
Swell guy.
KCJ
I’ve completely lost whatever respect I had left for Chapman…which wasn’t much. Hope he enjoys his baseball career, cause when that’s over he’ll get to spend the rest of his life as nothing but the true POS that he is
tgallagher
He threw 100 mph at a guy’s head. He should have been suspended a lot longer.
bobtillman
Thank you; succinct, accurate, truthful. Frankly if I was Cash i would have sent Renfroe out to the mound to beat the &&&& out of Chapman…ya, he’d get suspended, but he’s only hitting .170 this year anyway….guy looks like he’s in good shape….
PaysonTim
That punishment of Chapman is going to make the Rays be extra careful not to let a pitch or two “slip” and head towards Yankees players heads. Not. Then again, when that happens, they’ll probably take the suspension that they should’ve given Chapman and multiply it by 2. What a joke.
raysdaze
Nah, looks like the Rays are just going to retaliate with a HR derby session on Montgomery…shame he couldn’t make it out of the 1st inning! Here’s to 8-2 #RaysUp
KCJ
Intentionally throwing a 100 mph fastball at someone’s head is a total douchebag move. It gives you some real insight into what kind of human being Aroldis Chapman is
Dorothy_Mantooth
There’s no question that Chapman’s pitch was a “purpose pitch”. He wasn’t trying to hit him but he certainly was trying to brush him back off the plate with a high & inside pitch. He just threw it too high and it became a very dangerous pitch. It’s amazing he got out of the way. 3 games is more than reasonable in this situation, especially with the post game antics. If you want to throw inside, keep it below the shoulders or you’re going to get suspended. Pretty much every pitcher knows this.
yankee766766
Sorry to say my Yankee breathren, but they are shot this year..thanks to Cashman being stuck in quicksand….and refusing to come with with an offer that would have competed with SD and their not giving up one highly rated prospect….. ..They now officially have NO ace….They are now simply a team full of “IF’S”…..IF Cole straightens up, IF Paxton comes back and THEN perform like the guy they signed, IF Devi Garcia is for real,, IF Gary Sanchez can ever hit for his weight, , IF Judge or Stanton come back and play the rest of the year without getting hurt again, …..This is just a team in such disarray. They could never compete with the Dodgers. they cannot even compete with TB..and now Toronto has improved. Yes the Yankees will make the playoffs…but then what??? I know…’wait til next year”….when this was supposed to be the year
denistaylor
That’s not very BLM of MLB and the Rays assuming the worst about a black man. There should be protests and game cancellations starting tomorrow.
wild bill tetley
Underrated comment.
whyhayzee
What Cash said was the equivalent of chapboy’s girlfriend saying, “I’ve got a dozen pistols in my house.” It’s not a threat. It’s pointing out how stupid threatening behavior is when the person you’re threatening can do just as much damage as the threatening person. Throwing at people is stupid.
dt47
Tanaka hit Wendle on purpose – easy call – Home plate umpire no experience should have warned both clubs then. Chapman sent a message after Garcia earlier in series threw high and tight to DJ – Chapman should have been tossed . Have to feel for Boone – he needs a Pitching Coach with Major League experience – overmatched with current guy in that role. Yankees decimated by injuries and have been getting outplayed by Rays and that doesn’t sit well with Yankee team especially losing at home. Hard to accept for Yankee fans but Rays are better club.
bradthebluefish
Have Chapman pitch back-to-back games then have him rest for three days. I’m sure he’d appreciate the time off.
Dutch Vander Linde
Should’ve got suspended for the rest of the season. If that ball hits him, he could’ve been hurt badly.
LASTSON86
MLB giving Joe Kelly 8 games then reducing it to 5 for throwing BEHIND Correa was bad enough, but only giving Chapman 3 games for throwing 101 about an inch above a players HEAD is Grade A BS!!!!!!
yankfann
So Tampa’s manager threatens to have his”stable of guys” throw at Yankee batters and MLB suspends the Yankee manager. Makes perfect sense.
StPeteStingRays
The Rays retaliation was sweeter than any HBP. That first inning was heavenly…if you’re a TB fan lol.
GO RAYS!!!