Bryce Harper fined, suspended one game for swearing at ump
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been fined and suspended one game after running back out on the field and swearing at umpire Brian Knight following an ejection.
[Related: Bryce Harper gets ejected, swears at ump during on-field celebration]
The incident occurred during Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. In the ninth inning, Harper got ejected from the dugout after Knight believed Harper said something about the strike zone. Harper seemed surprised by the ejection initially, but was held back by coaches as he tried to run out on the field to argue with Knight.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]
Two pitches later, outfielder Clint Robinson won the game with a walk-off home run. During the celebration, Harper ran back onto the field, pointed at Knight and appeared to yell “[expletive] you” at the umpire. The exchange was captured by the numerous TV cameras in the stadium.
Following the game, Harper didn’t deny his actions. Instead, he doubled down on them, according to Jamal Collier of MLB.com.
“I was pretty upset,” Harper said. “I think I was right to do that. Let him hear what I have to say, let him hear it again, and so what?”
Harper didn’t seem too concerned about a possible fine at the time either.
“I’ll pay it,” Harper said. “Maybe he’ll get fined, too.”
Harper’s suspension was scheduled to be served during Wednesday’s game, but he’s filed an appeal. He will be allowed to play until Major League Baseball hears the appeal and makes a ruling on it.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
The StewPod: A baseball podcast by Yahoo Sports
Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS feed
– – – – – – –
Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
