Washington Nationals Suspend Jonathan Papelbon Four Games
Jonathan Papelbon is a hot head and a crazy person. Fans of baseball have witnessed this since 2005. He wears his heart on his sleeves and, sometimes, it goes south for him.
On Sunday he did the one thing you can't do. He went after the golden goose on the team, Bryce Harper. For whatever reason Papelbon not only approached, but choked Bryce Harper in the dugout towards the end of a game they wound up losing.
So, knowing that, what do you think happens to Papelbon after that? Maye he's separated from the team. Maybe he's sent away into the locker room.
Nope, in keeping with the terrible season the Nationals are having, manager Matt Williams decided to put Papelbon in the game. Not surprisingly, Papelbon gave up five runs (two of which were earned) and was taken out after only one inning. I'm not sure what Williams expected. There's no chance Papelbon's mind was in the game.
When asked why he put Papelbon in considering what happened in the dugout Williams had an odd response.
"He's our closer," Williams said. "That's all I'm going to say on the matter. He's our closer. In a tie game, he's in the ballgame in the ninth inning."
So, to quote Wedding Crashers, "No excuses, play like a champion." I'm guessing that's what he meant. Next man up. It's a team game and all of the other clichés you hear about sports would have probably been said if they allowed Williams to continue talking.
Now it's being reported that the team has suspended Papelbon for four games for what he did. That, along with the three game suspension that Papelbon received for throwing at Manny Machado earlier. Including the game today the Nationals have only seven games left. Therefore, Papelbon is gone for the year and probably won't be back next year, even though he's under contract.
This all comes a day after the Nationals were eliminated from the playoffs officially. What began as a season with high expectations has become both underwhelming and embarrassing.
I'm not a betting man but considering how this year has gone expect Papelbon to be gone, Williams to be gone and possibly much more. You can't be this embarrassing and have nothing change. Somebody is going to be responsible for this mess.
