05-12-2009, 05:52 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Commissioner's office to review Ryan Dempster-Ryan Braun at-bat
Cubs don't expect pitcher to be penalized
By Paul Sullivan | Tribune reporter
The Cubs didn't put up much of a fight when an up-and-in pitch by Ryan Dempster was ruled to have grazed Ryan Braun's helmet instead of his bat during the fifth inning of Saturday night's game at Miller Park.
But they're expected to put up a big fight if Major League Baseball decides to penalize Dempster for the incident.
MLB sources said the commissioner's office will review the Dempster-Braun at-bat after Milwaukee manager Ken Macha accused Dempster of throwing at Braun's head.
Umpire Jerry Crawford, who ruled the pitch hit Braun, issued no warning afterward. And he didn't issue one after Ryan Theriot was hit later in the game. But Macha told reporters on Saturday that MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson should investigate the situation.
"The league frowns on people throwing at people's heads," Macha said. "I don't know if Bob Watson has looked at it or not. But I don't think that's a good idea, throwing at people's heads."
Dempster wasn't asked about the pitch after the game or the following day. Braun told Brewers.com he didn't think the pitch was intentional, though Braun stared at Dempster as he rounded the bases after homering in his next at-bat.
"If they threw at my head, I wouldn't be happy about it," Macha said, defending Braun's stare-down.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was unavailable for comment.
Club sources said the team is confident MLB won't act, noting Dempster's solid reputation and the fact he slipped while making the pitch that sailed toward Braun's head as Braun squared to bunt.
A fine is a possibility, though a suspension is unlikely.
Braun's over-the-top celebrations have rubbed some opponents the wrong way. He had a prior incident this month with Pittsburgh after being drilled in the back by Jeff Karstens, who was later fined.
The Cubs and Brewers had similar allegations of headhunting last year when former Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds suggested former Brewers manager Ned Yost ordered Eric Gagne to throw at his head during a game in which Edmonds homered twice. Gagne was ejected, and the Brewers' next pitcher, Seth McClung, buzzed the head of Geovany Soto on the first pitch.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Cubs don't expect pitcher to be penalized
By Paul Sullivan | Tribune reporter
The Cubs didn't put up much of a fight when an up-and-in pitch by Ryan Dempster was ruled to have grazed Ryan Braun's helmet instead of his bat during the fifth inning of Saturday night's game at Miller Park.
But they're expected to put up a big fight if Major League Baseball decides to penalize Dempster for the incident.
MLB sources said the commissioner's office will review the Dempster-Braun at-bat after Milwaukee manager Ken Macha accused Dempster of throwing at Braun's head.
Umpire Jerry Crawford, who ruled the pitch hit Braun, issued no warning afterward. And he didn't issue one after Ryan Theriot was hit later in the game. But Macha told reporters on Saturday that MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson should investigate the situation.
"The league frowns on people throwing at people's heads," Macha said. "I don't know if Bob Watson has looked at it or not. But I don't think that's a good idea, throwing at people's heads."
Dempster wasn't asked about the pitch after the game or the following day. Braun told Brewers.com he didn't think the pitch was intentional, though Braun stared at Dempster as he rounded the bases after homering in his next at-bat.
"If they threw at my head, I wouldn't be happy about it," Macha said, defending Braun's stare-down.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was unavailable for comment.
Club sources said the team is confident MLB won't act, noting Dempster's solid reputation and the fact he slipped while making the pitch that sailed toward Braun's head as Braun squared to bunt.
A fine is a possibility, though a suspension is unlikely.
Braun's over-the-top celebrations have rubbed some opponents the wrong way. He had a prior incident this month with Pittsburgh after being drilled in the back by Jeff Karstens, who was later fined.
The Cubs and Brewers had similar allegations of headhunting last year when former Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds suggested former Brewers manager Ned Yost ordered Eric Gagne to throw at his head during a game in which Edmonds homered twice. Gagne was ejected, and the Brewers' next pitcher, Seth McClung, buzzed the head of Geovany Soto on the first pitch.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->