Bobby V. Suspension Upheld

The National League upheld manager Bobby Valentine's two-game suspension and $5,000 fine for returning to the New York Mets' dugout in disguise after he was ejected.

Valentine was allowed to manage Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. He'll miss the final day of a three-game series Wednesday and the opener of a series in St. Louis on Thursday.

Bruce Benedict, the Mets' bench coach, will fill in for Valentine, who had anticipated that the suspension and fine would be upheld despite his appeal.

Â"I have my thoughts on it, but I'm going to keep it personal,Â" Valentine said after NL president Len Coleman made his decision Tuesday.

The punishment was a response to a caper that Valentine considered an attempt at levity.

Valentine was ejected in the 12th inning by plate umpire Randy Marsh for arguing a catcher's interference call on Mike Piazza last Wednesday.

The manager said he went into the trainer's room and came out with eye black on his upper lip. He showed it to a couple of his pitchers in the clubhouse, who laughed and then gave him sunglasses and a hat.

A television camera spotted him. Valentine insisted he never actually went into the dugout, but stayed in a tunnel that connects it with the clubhouse.

Coleman handed down the punishment last Friday, but it was put on hold when Valentine appealed. The manager, general manager Steve Phillips and Coleman talked about it by phone on Tuesday.

Valentine declined to discuss their conversation in detail.

Â"I told him I was in the tunnel,Â" Valentine said.

When Coleman announced the penalty last Friday, he referred to a league rule that requires anyone ejected from a game to remain in the clubhouse or sit in the stands away from the bullpen.

Coleman had not yet made his decision on the appeal when Valentine arrived at the ballpark Tuesday afternoon. Valentine said he didn't think their conversation would change anything, and he was waiting to hear from Phillips.

He was sitting in the manager's office in a black Mets T-shirt and blue shorts, a pair of sanitary socks wrapped around his neck, talking about starter Rick Reed's ailment when the phone rang at 4:45 p.m. EDT.

It was Phillips relaying Coleman's decision.

Â"OK. So this is the announcement?Â" Valentine told Phillips. Â"Super. Thank you.Â"

Asked if he was surprised by the outcome, Valentine simply said, Â"No.Â" He said he had agreed not to talk about it.

Reed, who was scheduled to start Tuesday night, developed what was believed to be a urinary infection or a kidney stone and got treatment on Monday night. He was feeling better Tuesday afternoon, but Valentine was prepared to go to reliever Allen Watson if he faltered early.

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