Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly was suspended for eight games on Wednesday for insulting and ridiculing Houston Astros players.
Fans and even some players were outraged by the league’s decision to suspend Kelly. Many saw Kelly’s throws at Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in retaliation for the Astros fraud scandal during the 2017 season. No active Astros players were suspended because of the scandal.
DODGERS ‘JOE KELLY HANGED 8 GAMES TO JUMP AND PLAY ASTROS
It’s worth noting that Kelly was with the Boston Red Sox in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The Red Sox defeated the Astros in the 2018 American League Championships Series on their way to their own World Series title. Boston was also punished for its own fraud scheme during that season.
Regardless, the emotions on Twitter were high.
The banks would be empty during the 5-2 win from Los Angeles against Houston on Tuesday night, thanks to the pitches Joe Kelly had thrown from the Dodgers against Astros Batters.
JOHN MCNAMARA, MANAGER OF RED SOX 1986 WORLD SERIES, DEAD AT 88
Kelly hummed the heads of Bregman and Correa in the sixth inning. He threw himself behind Bregman for a walk and his pitch to Correa was over his head. However, Kelly denied that he had deliberately thrown on the Astros’ heads.
“No. When I was with the Red Sox, we beat them 18,” he said. “It’s one of those things that make me competitive. Since there are no fans here, it’s easy to hear a few things (from enemy shelter) … there is something they didn’t seem to be particularly friendly for. “
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was banned from a game, was also unsure.
“I really don’t know, to be perfectly honest,” he said. “I know that he came 3-0 behind Bregman and lost a fast ball. I really don’t think there is any intention behind it. I think these guys were a little offended. Even for Correa, who was a breaking ball who just pulled back. “
Astros manager Dusty Baker said Kelly had chirped Correa but nothing had provoked the pitcher.
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“What really made everyone angry … is when he said ‘Nice Swing b — h’,” said Baker. “Then what should you do?”
Baker added, “We didn’t say anything. We don’t start anything. But we don’t take anything either. “
Kelly has decided to appeal the suspension.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
