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Why was Brook Jacoby suspended 14 games? Depends who you believe
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion doesn't believe hitting coach Brook Jacoby deserves a 14-game suspension for his actions following a recent game.
Jacoby was suspended by the league for "his post-game conduct toward the umpire crew." Jacoby reportedly confronted the umpiring crew after a game in Boston on April 29. A number of coaches, including Jacoby, were upset about the strike zone during the contest.
Encarnacion gave his account of the event, and told Shi Dividi of Sportsnet that he was surprised by the punishment.
“That surprised me,” Encarnacion said of the punishment Tuesday. “I never expected that kind of suspension the way I saw it in the tunnel. What happened isn’t supposed to be that many games, because they just yelled at each other. They had contact, but not like the way they say. What I heard is (the umpires) said Brook got the umpire against the wall. That never happened.”
What kind of contact?
“Just bumping each other,” he says. “But no hands.”
According to Dividi, the umpire's report disputes some of those details. Multiple sources say the report claims Jacoby pinned umpire Doug Eddings against a wall and put his arm on Eddings' throat.
Encarnacion disputes that claim.
Encarnacion said bench coach DeMarlo Hale got in between Jacoby and Eddings before matters reached that point – an account corroborated by other sources who preferred to speak anonymously.
“Nothing happened,” said Encarnacion. “It could have been worse, but nothing happened like what they said.”
Since the altercation, new procedures have been implemented at Fenway Park to ensure umpires do not cross paths with the visiting team following games. Teams will not be allowed to enter the tunnel until the umpires have cleared a certain area in the park.
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The Blue Jays are currently in the process of appealing the suspension. If upheld, Jacoby would lose nearly nine percent of his salary this season.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
