When I first read about former Rockies Catcher Yorvit Torrealba’s 66 game suspension and the fact that he got it for “pushing” an umpire, i felt the punishment was way over the top. Players only get suspended 50 games for their first offense on being caught for performance-enhancing drugs, so how can pushing an umpire rank worse than that? Then i thought that maybe it was the way things were in Venezuela, that penalties were more harsh than here.
I finally saw the video and, while i still think that 66 games is too steep, I can completely understand the need to bring down a harsh punishment. As I was watching it I kept waiting for him to “push” the ump. I thought it wouldn’t be that bad. When I finally saw him “SHOVE” the umpire extremely hard, in his face, it completely stopped my breath. Expecting a push and seeing a violent shove sure changed my perspective on the subject. He later apologized:
I wanted to express my sincere apologies to all parties for my actions during the Venezuelan Winter League game on Friday. I have extended an apology to the Rangers organization as well. I am embarrassed for my conduct and personally relayed that feeling to the umpire after that night’s game … On the field, I strive to be an example for children, especially those in my native Venezuela, and I regret my actions. I understand the reactions to the incident and will make every effort to set a positive example in the future.
Take a look and see if you agree with 66 game suspension, or if you feel it should be more/less.
I think Yorvit deserves a harsh penalty. I would like to see what exactly set him off. I believe he disagreed with a strike call earlier and I would have liked to seen how egregiously bad that call must have been to set him off.
It looked to me like he was called out on strikes and he felt that the last strike was a foul tip…he made the “brushing” motion across the bat it seems like at first…
That ump looked like he was in some pain at being shoved like that. Ed, you ever been shoved like that? I bet it is painful, even with the padding…
I tried to comment late last night and I had not yet registered as a Roxwalkoff user. I was too tired. Now before I go out this evening and really get too tired I thought I would throw my two cents in. I think Yorvit deserves more of a penalty than he received. 66 games is a lot, but it’s 66 games in winter ball if I’m correct. Not sure what the players union will say. Actually I’m pretty sure… Read more »
Is there a precedent for this situation? A player getting penalized in winter ball and having that carry over to the regular season? I agree, it was pretty brutal and I think that he should be penalized at least the first series.
Torrealba was actually upset about the called strike 2.