Jim Leyland goes berserk

In yesterday's game against the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers' manager Jim Leyland did something yours truly has never seen before. And I've watched major league baseball for a very long time.

A little background. Likely to no one's great surprise, Tigers' super-slugger Miguel Cabrera hit yet another home run. The very next pitch to the very next batter -- one Prince Fielder -- was high and tight. A little chin music, as they say. Maybe it was intentional -- maybe not -- but even if so, such "ploys", if you will, have been a part of major league baseball since forever. Leyland gestured in protest from the dugout.

Well OK, you just knew a little pay-back was going to come around, because it's always worked that way as well. Sure enough, in the very next inning, the Tiger pitcher threw a ball behind a White Sox batter. And then the trouble started. The batter took a few steps towards the mound, both dugouts emptied, and even the guys in the bullpen came trotting into the potential fray.

After the original perceived wrong had been "avenged", the whole thing probably would have died down in a couple minutes, but evidently a blood vessel had popped somewhere between Jim Leyland's ears. Not only did he charge onto the field, but he launched into a tirade with the umpire crew over what had happened. Granted, this is nothing new for major league baseball managers. Over the years, we've seen many of them throw childish fits and engage in antics we would normally expect of a rich, spoiled, 7-year-old bratty kid on steroids being told "no". Or maybe a member of Congress. A parting shot about that later.

At any rate, whatever Leyland said got him ejected from the game. "Yer outta here", said an ump. After a while, Leyland finally stormed off the field.

At that point in time, by rule, Leyland's not even allowed to stay in his own dugout, let alone return to the field of play. It is mandatory that, once given the heave-ho and, having left the field of play, a manager (or player) must retire to the clubhouse/locker room located beneath the stands in the bowels of the stadium.

Yet a scant few minutes later, Leyland charged onto the field again to rant some more. And at THAT point in time -- he crossed a line. A big red one. Leyland was exhibiting not only a lack of personal control and professionalism, but utter contempt for the umpires and the game of baseball itself. Eventually, he left the field again.

Incredibly, a short while later, he did it yet a THIRD time. This sort of behavior is WAY over the line and borders on lunacy.

It's hard to say what, if anything, major league baseball will do after they've talked to the umps and reviewed the tapes of what happened, but if they don't smack Leyland hard for his actions, then they have nobody to blame but themselves when the next manager or player feels "enabled" to spit in the face of the game.

In my opinion, Leyland should be suspended for at least 10 games, with that portion of his salary donated to charity. Further, he should not be allowed any contact whatsoever with the Tigers during this period. In other words, no hanging out in the clubhouse, or anywhere else in the stadium(s). This would send a message to those that might consider trying such a stunt in the future. Respect the game, or pay a heavy price. If Commissioner Bud Selig and his henchmen REALLY wanted to send a strong message, as part of his punishment, they could ban Leyland from managing the All-Star game which is coming up soon. Now THAT would be an attention getter. Can you imagine how the media would run with that? It would be a feeding frenzy with Leyland being the bloody piece of meat in piranha infested waters -- but I betcha nobody else would try what he did again.

For that matter, it's about time major league baseball started reeling in these managers that occasionally make a mockery of the game with their childish hissy-fits. If a manager wishes to dispute a call on the field with un umpire, then fine. Dispute it, but do it like an adult -- not a berserk 3rd grader. The final ruling will likely be the same, but which do you think an umpire might be more receptive to? A raving lunatic in his face, or a thoughtful argument pointing out a perceived wrong?

If an attorney pulled such outrageous stunts in a courtroom, they'd quickly find their butts in jail for contempt of court. No judge wouldn't tolerate it. Nor should they. Is it asking too much for baseball people to adhere to the same standards of professionalism? It's bad enough they spit tobacco and bubble gum juice all over "turf" fields (somebody has to clean that up), and such things as sunflower seeds all over the dugouts. When frustrated, they can break bats, smash coolers, and chuck Gatorade every which way. I'm even OK with their age-old tradition of scratching their nether regions for some mysterious reason. But dammit -- there's certain lines that aren't supposed to be crossed. And Leyland trampled all over them. It's ironic that he purports to be an old-schooler, then turns around and disrespects the game in such a way.

Oh yeah. The Congress thing. While manning the podium at the US Senate, majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada issued a startling revelation to his "illustrious" Senate brethen. It might fairly be assumed a US Senator spends a lot of time in Washington DC in the course of their job. When referring to the major league baseball team that plays it's home games just down the road -- Reid thought they (the Washington Nationals) were called the National Mets.

And you wonder why this country has so many problems? 

I think Reid should be suspended as well -- for felonious cluelessness. Lock him in a room with Leyland for a couple weeks. In the interest of fairness, throw speaker of the house John Boehner in there too. One TV. One remote. Close the door and let them all slug it out. Methinks when they emerged, maybe all three of them would have undergone an epiphany, and start acting right.

Couldn't hurt. Just a thought.