Unsurprisingly, MLB has announced that both the Nationals’ Bryce Harper and the Giants’ Hunter Strickland will be suspended for four and six games, respectively, for their roles in Monday’s brawl.
Bryce Harper has been suspended 4 games. Hunter Strickland got 6. Both players will appeal
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) May 30, 2017
Strickland seemed to purposely hit Harper with a fastball, and Harper subsequently charged the mound. Both men landed punches in a benches-clearing brawl, and Harper also attempted to throw his helmet at Strickland.
Harper was rightfully suspended because, well, you shouldn’t throw things at or punch people. Strickland got more games as the instigator, but in reality, the suspension will affect Harper far more, since Strickland would likely only appear in a couple of innings over the course of six games. Harper will miss many more plate appearances.
Really, Strickland should have gotten more games. He is barely affected by this suspension, and MLB is again setting a precedent that it won’t severely punish pitchers for dangerously throwing at hitters. Moreover, Strickland was getting back at Harper for … hitting a couple home runs three years ago? That’s ridiculous and shouldn’t be tolerated.
