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A22 SPORTS
Monday 17 February 2020
Manfred: No tolerance for beanballs in wake of Astros' scam

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — restrictions on player and
With baseball ablaze over playing personnel access
the Houston Astros' cheat- to video in-game," Manfred
ing scandal, commissioner said. "I think it's really impor-
Rob Manfred met with tant for us to send a mes-
nearly half of the major sage to our fans that not
leagues managers Sunday only did we investigate and
and told them to knock punish, but we altered our
off any notion of get-even policies in a way that will
beanballs. help make sure it doesn't
"I hope that I made it ex- happen again."
tremely clear to them that Manfred said MLB officials
retaliation in-game by discussed the possibility of
throwing at a batter inten- vacating the Astros' 2017
tionally will not be toler- World Series championship.
ated, whether it's Houston "First of all, it had never
or anybody else," Manfred happened in baseball,"
said. "It's dangerous and it Manfred said. "I am a prec-
is not helpful to the current edent guy. The 2017 World
situation." Series will always be looked
Cody Bellinger, Kris Bryant, at as different, whether not
Trevor Bauer and Carlos you put an asterisk or ask
Correa were among the for the trophy back. Once
All-Stars recently trading Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred pauses before answering a question about the Houston As- you go down that road as
threats, accusations and tros, during a news conference at the Atlanta Braves' spring training facility Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, for changing the result on
barbs as spring training in North Port, Fla. the field, I just don't know
opened. The revelation Associated Press where you stop."
of Houston's sign-stealing Astros players were grant-
scam, the punishment im- healthy," Manfred said. the upcoming season, as said the investigation into ed immunity for taking part
posed by Major League Manfred had previously this annual press session is, the Boston Red Sox could in the investigation but
Baseball and poorly re- planned to attend a news there was no doubt what be completed within two Manfred said that "if I was in
ceived apologies by the conference at the Atlanta was the No. 1 topic. weeks. He also said he a world where I could have
Astros further enhanced Braves' new camp, along Manfred said he would per- planned to meet the play- found the facts without
anger across the sport, with with managers and repre- sonally talk to the manag- ers' union to discuss new granting immunity, I would
players, club management sentatives of teams train- ers of the teams that train in rules limiting in-game video have done that."
and fans all joining in. ing in Florida to talk about Arizona on Tuesday. access. "They had an obligation to
"I think that the back and the upcoming season. In- In further fallout from the "I do expect that we will play by the rules and they
forth that's gone on is not stead of an uplifting look at Astros' scheme, Manfred for 2020 have really serious didn't," Manfred said. q
Continued from Page 18 Cleveland a 1-0 victory in also played for the San a familiar way of slinging ting .328 with 75 RBIs and
One of those was the the clinching Game 6 --his Diego Padres, New York the ball almost underhand an .877 OPS. His 41 doubles
New York Yankees, who only postseason home run. Mets, Cincinnati Reds and from his hip, causing his equaled a career high.
replaced him at shortstop Fernández then hit .471 Milwaukee Brewers in a throws to arc their way to Fernández played the next
with a 21-year-old Derek with four RBIs in the World career that lasted through first base before landing year in Japan, then split
Jeter in 1996. Fernández Series against the Florida 2001. softly in a teammate's mitt. his last big league season
was slated to slide over Marlins. His two-run single He was a .288 hitter with He was part of a memo- between Milwaukee and
to second base and stick in the third inning of Game 94 homers and 844 RBIs in rable blockbuster trade Toronto. He finished up
around as insurance, but 7 put the Indians ahead 2,158 big league games. in December 1990 that where he started, hitting
he broke his right elbow 2-0, but the Marlins tied it He remains the last Yan- sent Fernández and slug- .305 over 48 games for the
(for the second time in his in the bottom of the ninth kees player to hit for the ger Fred McGriff from To- Blue Jays in 2001.
career) lunging for a ball and won 3-2 in 11 innings cycle in a home game, ronto to San Diego for Hall Fernández is Toronto's ca-
late in spring training and to take the championship. accomplishing the feat in of Fame second base- reer leader in hits (1,583),
missed the entire season. In 43 career postseason 1995. man Roberto Alomar and triples (72) and games
Jeter, of course, went on games, Fernández batted Fernández finished with outfielder Joe Carter, played (1,450). He was in-
to win AL Rookie of the .327 with 23 RBIs and a .787 2,276 hits, 1,057 runs, 414 who hit the game-ending ducted into the Canadian
Year and the first of his five home run that won the Baseball Hall of Fame in
World Series titles. Fernán- In this Sept. 17, 1999, file photo, Toronto Blue Jays third base- 1993 World Series for the 2008.
man Tony Fernandez throws to first as he tumbles to the turf
dez, who had been set to during third-inning AL action against the Chicago White Sox in Blue Jays. Fernández was He was born in San Pedro
help ease Jeter's transition, Toronto. traded to the Mets after de Macoris in the Domini-
was given a World Series the 1992 season and then can Republic, a cradle of
ring by the Yankees that back to Toronto in June shortstops and home to
season. OPS. He went 7 for 21 (.333) doubles, 92 triples, 246 sto- 1993. He spent 1995 as dozens of major leaguers
The next year, Fernández with nine RBIs in the 1993 len bases and a .746 OPS. the primary shortstop for a who followed such as Sam-
caught on at second with World Series, helping the He struck out only 784 times Yankees team that gave my Sosa, Alfonso Soriano
the Cleveland Indians and Blue Jays beat Philadel- in 8,793 plate appearanc- the franchise its first playoff and Robinson Canó.
was instrumental in their phia in six games for their es — never more than 74 berth in 14 years. After he retired from base-
1997 American League second consecutive title. times in a season. He signed back on with ball, Fernández became
pennant. He batted .357 in A wiry switch-hitter with Especially early in his ca- the Blue Jays for 1998 an ordained minister and
the AL Championship Se- speed, Fernández made reer, the rail-thin Fernán- and made his final All-Star the Tony Fernández Foun-
ries against Baltimore and his major league debut dez was a breathtaking team at age 37 with them dation was established to
homered in the 11th inning with the Blue Jays at age defender at shortstop. Silky in 1999. Playing third base, assist underprivileged and
at Camden Yards to give 21 in September 1983. He smooth in the field, he had he set career bests by bat- troubled children.q