Alomar's spitting image - furor over incident in which Baltimore Orioles' infielder Roberto Alomar spit on an umpire

0 Comments | Current Events, Oct 28, 1996

Hock . . . ptooey! Baltimore Orioles second baseman Roberto Alomar really struck out at a September 27 game against the Cleveland Indians. In a hot dispute about umpire John Hirschbeck's third-strike call, Alomar spit in Hirschbeck's face. After being thrown out of the game, Alomar made matters worse by saying that Hirschteck had become "real bitter" since the death of his 8-year-old son.

League officials gave Alomar a five-game suspension for his outburst, but it won't start until next season. Major-league umpires, angry that Alomar was not benched during the playoffs, threatened to strike. A Philadelphia judge, however, ordered the umpires not to strike, since a strike would violate their labor contract.

Meanwhile, Alomar wrote a letter of apology to Hirschbeck and donated $50,000 for research on the rare nerve disease that had killed Hirschbeck's son. But for many fans, that wasn't enough.

Soft Ball

Along with the umpires, many fans believe that baseball officials were too soft on Alomar. Many say that at least he should have had to serve his suspension during the playoffs.

"For something like that, they should have stopped him from playing right away," says famed former pitcher Juan Marichal.

Play Ball

Some people believe Alomar's apology is enough. "He stood up like a man and apologized," says Orioles fan Haydie Lunn. "It's time to move on."

Though some say Alomar did not get a harsh enough penalty, others say he is paying an even more substantial price in bad publicity. Fans boo him every time he steps up to the plate, and some even turn their backs. "He will always be known as the guy who spit at an umpire," says Alomar's former manager.

What do you think? Do you think Alomar received the right punishment? If not, what kind of punishment should have been levied?

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