Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs was suspended for one game and fined $1,000 by National League president Bill White yesterday for "his violent actions" during a game against Cincinnati last Tuesday.
Dawson will appeal the suspension today. The suspension cannot take effect until after White hears Dawson's appeal. "I expected the fine," Dawson said. "I didn't expect the suspension. I'd like to know the reason."
Dawson argued a third-strike call with plate umpire Joe West and bumped the umpire during the argument. When he reached the Cubs dugout, Dawson continued yelling at West and then threw 14 bats on the field. After that, bleacher fans at Wrigley Field littered the field with debris, delaying the game.
* REDS: Pitcher Rob Dibble, who has battled with other players and teammates this season and already has served a three-game suspension, said yesterday he will seek counseling to control his emotions.
"After carefully analyzing my behavior of the past few months and talking with my family, it has become apparent to me that I need professional counsel in dealing with some of my emotions," Dibble said in a statement released by Hamilton Projects Inc., a Cincinnati management firm.
"I also realized that my behavior not only reflected unfavorably on me but on my family, teammates and friends, and that it must change. I am in the process of seeking professional counsel," he said.
Dibble served a three-game suspension imposed by the NL earlier this month for throwing at Houston Astros batter Eric Yelding on April 11 in Cincinnati. He is appealing a four-game suspension for throwing a ball into the Riverfront Stadium stands and hitting a fan on April 18. He also is appealing a $1,000 fine imposed by the league for a confrontation last year with a policeman at San Francisco's Candlestick Park.
Meanwhile, the league is expected to decide soon whether Dibble should be suspended again, this time for allegedly throwing at the legs of Chicago Cubs runner Doug Dascenzo last Tuesday.