Umpire Suspended One Game for Involvement in Papelbon Incident

West and Papelbon got into the argument after West thought Papelbon made an obscene gesture toward the Philadelphia fans because they booed him.

                                                                                                    

After West made the ejection, Papelbon ran back out onto the field, bumping West, who then grabbed the pitcher’s jersey.

                                                                                                                                               

“Joe West handled himself appropriately in ejecting Papelbon after the player’s lewd gesture to the fans,” Major League Baseball executive vice president Joe Torre said in a statement. “I fully understand that Joe was reacting to a player who was acting aggressively, and can understand his frustration with the situation.

“However, Joe knows that an umpire cannot initiate physical contact with a player just as a player cannot initiate physical contact with an umpire. I spoke to Joe about the incident, and he admitted that there was a better way to handle the situation. I consider this matter closed.”

Papelbon has already been suspended seven games by the league after they concluded the gesture was directed at the crowd, and for bumping West.

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