Los Angeles Dodgers: The hypocrisy of suspending Matt Kemp

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was suspended one game for a home plate collision and the ensuing scuffle with Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos.

Although he is appealing it and it is just a one-game suspension, suspending Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp showcases the hypocrisy in MLB decision making.

The one-game suspension really is not a big deal. Matt Kemp and the Dodgers can use that one game as an off day, something Dave Roberts is keen on doing on a weekly basis for his players. This is not the postseason, where these games really matter.

However, just the standard behind the suspension showcases a ton of hypocrisy. Sure, Kemp did barrel through Chirinos and did spark a scuffle after. None of which was Kemp’s fault, though, and just because Chirinos is receiving a suspension should not mean that Kemp does.

First and foremost, the ensuing scuffle. Chirinos was the one that initiated the scuffle by getting up, showing Kemp and putting his glove in his face. Just by gauging Kemp’s body language you could see that he did not truck Chirinos with the intention of hurting him. It was Chirinos that took exception to the play at the plate.

The rule on the home plate collision is really grey and you could argue that Kemp had every right to do this. Chirinos was allowed to block the plate once he got the ball, since the throw took him into the lane, you cannot really fault him there.

However, Kemp also has a right to the plate. As rule 7.13 states:

"“A runner may not run out of a direct line to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher, or any player, covering the plate… Runners are not required to slide, and catchers in possession of the ball are allowed to block the plate.”"

Kemp does not have to slide in that situation, and since Chirinos was blocking the plate, there was no way to go but through him. Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, even acknowledged that home plate collisions were still part of the game after this rule was first initiated.

"“We believe the new experimental rule allows for the play at the plate to retain its place as one of the most exciting plays in the game while providing an increased level of protection to both the runner and the catcher.”"

It seems to be the scuffle that warranted the suspension, at least by the wording posted on the MLB.com article that announced the suspensions.

First of all, there were no punches thrown, at least not by Kemp (although Chirinos took a hearty swing). Second, Chirinos initiated the scuffle afterward, to which he was given a shove.I get that the MLB is trying to reduce the fighting on the field but this was nothing worse than a bench-clearing shoving match when a batter gets beaned.

Remember last year when Ross Stripling plunked Giancarlo Stanton and Don Mattingly looked like he was about to slug Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren? No suspensions.

Even better, remember when Anthony Rizzo went out of his way to slide into home into Elias Diaz’ legs? That literally happened less than three weeks ago.

The MLB later admitted that the slide should have been called an interference. Rizzo obviously went out of his way and could have seriously injured the catcher. Not only did he willingly violate the slide rule, he received no repercussions.

So I guess if you are a good guy and there is no fight afterward then you don’t have to be suspended, right? Or, you only get suspended if the player gets hurt, like Chase Utley’s notoriously nasty slide in the 2015 NLDS. That slide deserved a suspension. So does this.

But since Diaz wasn’t injured everything is okay. Since he didn’t get up and shove Rizzo, Rizzo does not have to serve a suspension. This play is way dirtier than Matt Kemp’s play at the plate.

Next: Resurgent Dodgers doing it with the long ball

However, since Rizzo was lucky and it wasn’t Robinson Chirinos he doesn’t have to be penalized. Yet, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp does. Because the catcher took exception to a perfectly legal play. If the Pirates wanted Rizzo to get suspended, all they had to do was shove him.