Major League Baseball suspended right-handed reliever Jonathan Papelbon for seven game after his actions during Sunday's game. Papelbon has also been find an amount that is unknown. He decided not to apologize, however the Phillies did for the closer.
Phillies statement: "Phillies fully support the decision ... We apologize to our fans for the actions of our player yesterday.”
After blowing a save for the Phillies and being booed as he trotted off the field, Papelbon grabbed his crotch and was ejected by crew chief Joe West. He jogged out of the dugout and got into a face to face argument with the umpire who tossed him from the game. West had to grab his jersey to hold him off. After, Papelbon then argued with first base umpire Marty Foster. Papelbon threw a cup of water on the field before leaving the dugout showing disrespect.
"This is baseball," Papelbon said. "I had to make an adjustment, and I did it and by no means am I directing anything at any fans. . When I'm out there and in the moment, the fans are irrelevant to me. I don't see them. I don't hear them. To me, this is pretty stupid, to be totally honest with you."
"They pay money, they want to see a good game and they have the right to boo and do whatever they want to do, but when an umpire gets caught up in that and starts trying to look for extra things he may think are going on, just umpire the game."
Less than two hours after that meeting, Major League Baseball claimed Papelbon to worthy of a seven-game suspension and an undisclosed fine. Papelbon did not appeal the penalty; it started Monday. The Phillies issued a 59-word statement in support of the league.