On July 28, 2020, during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros, Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly threw a pitch near the head of Astros player Alex Bregman. Later in the game, Kelly also taunted Astros player Carlos Correa, which led to the benches clearing.
The league ultimately suspended Kelly for his actions, but many fans and analysts were left wondering why. We’ll take a closer look at the incident and explore why Joe Kelly was suspended.
We’ll examine the pitch near Bregman’s head, Kelly’s taunting of Correa, the benches-clearing incident, and the league’s decision to suspend Kelly.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of the events that led up to Kelly’s suspension and what it means for baseball.
The Pitch Near Alex Bregman’s Head
Kelly’s pitch near Alex Bregman’s head was a 96-mph fastball that narrowly missed hitting Bregman. The pitch was thrown behind Bregman’s head and caused the Astros player to duck out of the way. This pitch was a retaliation to a previous incident where the Astros were caught cheating during the 2017 World Series.
Throwing a pitch near a batter’s head is considered dangerous and unacceptable in baseball as it can result in severe injury or even death. Pitchers are taught to aim for the body or strike zone to avoid hitting batters in the head or face, where the risk of injury is much greater.
In Kelly’s case, throwing a pitch near Bregman’s head was considered an intentional act of aggression and a violation of the league’s rules.
The league takes throwing at batters very seriously and often issues suspensions and fines to pitchers who do so intentionally. These penalties are meant to discourage pitchers from using dangerous tactics to intimidate or retaliate against batters.
The league also has strict rules regarding on-field altercations and physical contact between players, as it can lead to injuries and compromise player safety.
The Taunting of Carlos Correa
After Kelly threw the pitch near Bregman’s head, he later faced Carlos Correa at bat. Kelly threw several pitches inside, and Correa eventually struck out.
As Correa was walking back to the dugout, Kelly made a face and shouted something at him, which led to Correa and other Astros players confronting Kelly, causing the benches to clear.
Taunting is discouraged in baseball as it can escalate tensions and lead to physical altercations on the field. In Kelly’s case, his actions were seen as provocative and unnecessary, given the circumstances surrounding the game and the pitch he threw near Bregman’s head.
Taunting can also be seen as disrespectful to opponents and can create unnecessary distractions for players during the game.
There have been several other recent incidents of taunting in the league, including an incident between Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech and Texas Rangers player Adolis García, where Kopech appeared to taunt García after striking him out.
These incidents have prompted the league to issue warnings to players and enforce stricter penalties for players who engage in unsportsmanlike behavior on the field.
The Benches-clearing Incident
The benches cleared during the game between the Dodgers and Astros after Kelly taunted Correa, which led to several Astros players confronting Kelly on the field.
The situation escalated, and players from both teams rushed onto the field, resulting in a benches-clearing altercation.
Fights and altercations are not tolerated in baseball as they can lead to player injuries and put the safety of both players and umpires at risk.
In addition, fights and altercations can cause unnecessary delays to the game, impacting its flow and potentially causing fans to lose interest.
The league takes a strict stance against fights and altercations and often issues suspensions and fines to players involved. The league also has a specific set of rules regarding on-field brawls, including rules regarding the escalation of the altercation, the involvement of coaches and staff, and the use of physical force.
Discipline for players involved in brawls can range from fines to suspensions, depending on the severity of the incident and the player’s history.
The league also takes into account the role each player played in the altercation, including whether or not they escalated the situation or attempted to calm things down.
Overall, the league aims to deter players from engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior and maintain a safe and fair playing environment for all players.
Joe Kelly’s Suspension
Joe Kelly was suspended for eight games by the league for his actions during the game between the Dodgers and Astros. The league cited Kelly’s pitch near Bregman’s head and his subsequent taunting of Correa as reasons for the suspension.
The league stated that Kelly’s actions violated the league’s rules regarding unsportsmanlike conduct and constituted a threat to player safety.
Many fans and analysts debated whether Kelly’s suspension was appropriate. Some argued that the suspension was too severe, given that Kelly did not actually hit Bregman with the pitch, and that other players involved in similar altercations had received lighter penalties.
Others argued that the suspension was justified given Kelly’s clear intent to harm Bregman and the potential danger of throwing a pitch near a batter’s head.
In response to the suspension, Kelly expressed frustration with the league’s decision and maintained that he did not intend to harm anyone. Kelly appealed the suspension, but it was ultimately upheld by the league.
Despite the controversy surrounding the suspension, it sent a clear message that the league takes unsportsmanlike conduct and player safety seriously and will enforce strict penalties for players who violate its rules.
Here’s a Table Summarizing the Key Events and Penalties Related to Joe Kelly’s Suspension:
| Event | Description | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch near Bregman’s head | During the game between the Dodgers and Astros, Joe Kelly threw a pitch near Alex Bregman’s head. | No immediate penalty, but cited as a violation of league rules. |
| Taunting of Correa | After the pitch to Bregman, Kelly taunted Carlos Correa, which led to a benches-clearing altercation. | No immediate penalty, but cited as a violation of league rules. |
| Suspension | Kelly was suspended for eight games by the league for his actions during the game. | Eight-game suspension. |
| Appeal | Kelly appealed the suspension, but it was ultimately upheld by the league. | Suspension upheld. |
The table summarizes the key events leading up to Joe Kelly’s suspension, including the pitch near Bregman’s head, taunting of Correa, and the resulting suspension and appeal.
FAQs
How does the league determine the length of a player’s suspension?
The league takes into account several factors when determining the length of a player’s suspension, including the severity of the offense, the player’s history, and the impact of the player’s actions on the game and other players.
Can a player appeal a suspension?
Yes, players have the right to appeal suspensions issued by the league. The appeal is heard by an independent arbitrator, who reviews the evidence and makes a final decision on the suspension’s validity and length.
Can a team be penalized for a player’s unsportsmanlike conduct?
Yes, teams can be penalized for a player’s unsportsmanlike conduct. The league can fine or discipline teams that fail to control their players or staff, or that encourage or condone unsportsmanlike behavior.
Are there any long-term consequences for players involved in brawls or altercations?
Yes, players involved in brawls or altercations can face long-term consequences, such as damage to their reputation and career prospects. Players may also face increased scrutiny from fans, media, and other players, and may be less likely to be signed by other teams in the future. Additionally, repeated instances of unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to more severe penalties, including longer suspensions and fines, and potentially even expulsion from the league.
Conclusion
Joe Kelly’s suspension was a result of his actions during the Dodgers vs. Astros game, where he threw a pitch near Alex Bregman’s head and taunted Carlos Correa, leading to a benches-clearing altercation.
The league suspended Kelly for eight games, citing his violation of the league’s rules regarding unsportsmanlike conduct and player safety.
While there was debate over whether the suspension was appropriate, it sent a clear message that the league takes player safety and unsportsmanlike behavior seriously and will enforce strict penalties for players who violate its rules.
Ultimately, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and respect on and off the field.
