ATLANTA - Atlanta Braves catcher Johnny Estrada has received no word from Major League Baseball of a possible suspension following his ejection from Thursday night's game at Florida.
Estrada promised on Tuesday to appeal any suspension.
Umpire Doug Eddings threw Estrada out of the game, and Estrada appeared to bump Eddings and make an obscene gesture in the umpire's direction from the dugout following the ejection. Braves manager Bobby Cox and pitcher Mike Hampton also were tossed by Eddings, but the Braves say baseball should look at the actions of the umpire, who they say instigated the incident.
Estrada says proof of Eddings' role as provoking the event is that while Estrada was still crouched behind the plate, awaiting a pitch, Marlins hitter Paul LoDuca backed out of the batter's box after hearing Eddings. Said Estrada: ``He was yelling at me.''
``I'm not in the business of showing up umpires,'' Estrada said Tuesday, adding last week's incident was his first time he had been tossed from a game.
``From the outset he was yelling at me. They shouldn't be able to say whatever they want to us. I respect umpires and the job that they do. It doesn't give you the right to disrespect and talk down to a player.''
After the game, Eddings said Estrada ``made some inappropriate comments towards me. That's why he was ejected.''
Cox said any suspension of Estrada would be appealed.
``They need to take a look at his part in it,'' said Estrada of Eddings.
COMEBACK CONTINUES: Pitchers Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton have reported no problems as they remain on track to return after the All-Star break. Each pitcher plans to throw a simulated game Wednesday.
A third starting pitcher on the disabled list, John Thomson, has started a light throwing schedule but is still at least a month away from his return.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT: Andruw Jones' selection as NL Player of the Month for June Tuesday was not a surprise. The surprise, considering the Braves' run of 13 straight division titles, is that Jones is the first Atlanta player to be named player of the month since 1993.
Fred McGriff was named NL Player of the Month in July of 1993.
HOMERS AT THE BREAK: Jones' 26 home runs, the most in the majors entering Tuesday night's games, are tied for the sixth-most in franchise history at the All-Star break.
Andres Galarraga set the team record with 26 homers in the first half of the 1998 season.
The Braves will have played 89 games at the break this season, 14 fewer than the 103 games before the 1973 All-Star break. Hank Aaron and Darrell Evans each hit 27 homers before the break in 1973.
Saturday
March 29th, 2025
8:39AM
