Phillies' Jonathan Papelbon Suspended 7 Games for Lewd Gesture - East Idaho News
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Phillies’ Jonathan Papelbon Suspended 7 Games for Lewd Gesture

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9 12 13%20Basbeall%20A?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1410879277877Tom Szcaerbowski/Getty Images(SAN DIEGO) — Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended seven games by Major League Baseball for making a “lewd gesture” towards the fans and bumping an umpire.

Papelbon made the gesture towards the Philadelphia fans as he walked off the mound after blowing a save on Sunday against the San Diego Padres and then bumped into umpire Joe West.

While Papelbon admits to bumping West, he says the vulgar motion was not intended towards the Phillies fans. Papelbon grabbed his crotch as he walked off the mound as he was booed by the fans.

“While I completely understand how the fans would perceive my gesture while being booed, it was not my intent whatsoever to insult the fans of Philadelphia,” Papelbon said. “If it was perceived in that manner, I sincerely apologize.”

West had a different take though. “The whole thing started because the fans booed him and he made an obscene gesture. He had no business doing that,” he said. “He’s got to be more professional than that. And that’s why he was ejected.”

Now in his third season with the Phillies, Papelbon actually has a very good season for the last place club. He’s 2-3 with a 2.10 ERA with 37 saves.


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