Rougned Odor told reporters Monday he has no regrets about cracking Jose Bautista flush with a right cross.
“I can tell when someone is coming hard to second base, so I was just trying to protect myself,” Odor said before adding, “I know I’m going to be suspended for a couple of games.”
The Texas Rangers second baseman got more than “a couple of games” on Tuesday. MLB officials announced Odor has been suspended eight games for his role in Sunday’s brawl with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 22-year-old is appealing his suspension, according to baseball insider Ken Rosenthal and others.
Meanwhile, Bautista got one game for his actions and for his post-game comments.
Some Blue Jays fans feel MLB officials are letting Odor off light and those same fans are salty that Toronto manager John Gibbons was handed a three-game suspension and $5,000 fine. Gibbons returned to the field during the melee after having been ejected earlier in the game.
Tuesday was a rough one for Toronto sports fans. Earlier in the day, Raptors fans were up in arms after their team was excluded in a recent “Who will win the NBA title?” poll.
In addition to Odor, Bautista and Gibbons, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus got one game for his involvement. Blue Jays reliever Jesse Chavez got three games for hitting Prince Fielder with a pitch as retribution. Josh Donaldson and Kevin Pillar, both of whom immediately charged after Odor, avoided suspensions but were fined. Toronto first base coach Tim Leiper got a one-game ban, while bench coach DeMarlo Hale was fined. Rangers Matt Bush, Sam Dyson, A.J. Griffin, Robinson Chirinos and bench coach Steve Buechele were fined.
Blue Jays fans predictably took to Twitter to voice their opinions because, as our sources indicate, that’s what people do on Twitter.
