Chicago White Sox All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended three games by MLB for making contact with home plate umpire Nick Mahrley during Friday night’s contest against the Oakland Athletics.
Anderson is appealing the suspension.
Anderson exchanged words with Mahrley after taking a high and inside fastball for a strike in the seventh inning, leading to his ejection from the game. This enraged Anderson, who approached Mahrley face-to-face, bumping the umpire with the brim of his helmet.
After the game, White Sox manager Tony LaRussa went to bat for his All-Star shortstop.
“I think I saw the umpire moving forward quite a bit, which they’re taught not to do that,” LaRussa said. “I didn’t see any contact that I know.
“Umpires aren’t robots either. They can get emotional and they can get upset. But they’re supposed to be the cooler head. Because if you try to take emotion out of the game, it’s not entertaining.”
In his seventh major league season, Anderson is batting .310/.351/.414 with six home runs and 25 RBI in 71 games for the White Sox.
