Jason Varitek and Jonathan Papelbon had some philosophical differences with umpire Tony Randazzo's strike zone during the Saturday Red Sox/A's game. Varitek was tossed after complaining, and then Papelbon was thrown out of the game after he blew a four-run lead. Barking at an umpire won't get a player suspended, but a little bump will:
Jonathan Papelbon Suspended For Three Games; Red Sox Closer To Appeal
As far as ump bumps go, that one was fairly innocuous, but if contact was made there isn’t a lot of wiggle room for MLB. The Red Sox’s closer was suspended for three games for the contact, though he will appeal, which is a technical baseball term for “pretend like he’s going to contest the decision until a soft spot in the schedule comes up, at which point he’ll serve the suspension.”
The strike zone was actually not that bad if you go by the PitchFX. There were low pitches that weren’t called on both sides, but Varitek and Papelbon were more concerned with the upper part of the strike zone -- up and away to a left-handed hitter. The pitches in the ninth inning were close -- maybe strikes with some umpires -- but nothing to get suspended over.
The Red Sox ended up winning the game, but they probably will lose their closer for three games in the process.
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