Suspensions for Base-Brawlers

Baltimore reliever Armando Benitez was suspended for eight games on Wednesday for intentionally throwing at Tino Martinez, and four other players were penalized for their involvement in the wild brawl that followed.

Darryl Strawberry and Graeme Lloyd of the New York Yankees were suspended for three games each for "overly aggressive behavior, fighting and prolonging the violent incident," the American League said.

Alan Mills of the Orioles and Jeff Nelson of the Yankees were suspended two games apiece.

After giving up a three-run homer to Bernie Williams that put New York ahead 7-5 Tuesday night, Benitez hit Martinez in the back with his next pitch. The brawl spilled into the Orioles' dugout.

"The severity of the discipline reflects the gravity of the offenses," AL president Gene Budig said."Mr. Benitez not only intentionally threw at Martinez, but the location of the pitch was extremely dangerous and could have seriously injured the player."

New York went on to win 9-5.

"Everyone agrees that player safety is our safety is our first concern, and we are all committed to seeing that there is not a reoccurrence," Budig said. "This was a highly unfortunate and extremely dangerous on-field incident."

Budig said the suspensions of Strawberry and Benitez would start immediately. Mills' suspension would start after Benitez's is completed.

Lloyd's suspension would start when Strawberry's is over, and Nelson's would when Lloyd's is completed.

Union lawyer Michael Weiner said the players had not yet decided whether to appeal. If a player appeals, his suspension cannot start until Budig holds a hearing and rules.

"It was the worst brawl I've seen in 25 years," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said.

Punctuated by furious punches, nearly every player participated in the 10 minutes of chaos. Eventually, bodies spilled into the Orioles' third-base dugout after Strawberry landed a flying hook to Benitez's head.

"I think that was ridiculous and uncalled for," Yankees pitcher David Wells, a former Oriole, said Wednesday."It's not good for baseball. It's part of the game, yes. But to be blatant like that, it's not acceptable."

"If it was one of my teammates, I would be upset with them. I've had teammates upset with me for doing that once. I regret doing that because you can really hurt somebody."

There were five ejections but -- amazingly -- no serious injuries in one of the most vicious fights in recent baseball history.

"I don't think there was a guy on the field who didn't throw a punch," Orioles coach Elrod Hendricks said.

And tension was clearly in the air as the teams prepared to play again Wednesday night.

"I'm sure it won't go away," Yankees manager Joe Torre said."It's awfully tough to forget about it in 24 hours and pretend all is well."

In the first game at Yankee Stadium since Wells pitched perfect game Sunday against Minnesota, the hardest hits came with fists, not bats.

"This is what you'd call an imperfect game," Steinbrenner said.

After Benitez's pitch hit Martinez squarely between the shoulder blades. The Yankees first baseman held his temper, even though Benitez did the same thing to him in 1995 when Martinez played for Seattle.

Plate umpire Drew Coble immediately ejected Benitez, while Strawberry and Chad Curtis led the Yankees' charge from the first-base dugout.

Benitez dropped his glove, taunting Strawberry to fight, and then the teams went crazy.

After a bit of pushing and shoving, Lloyd ran in from the bullpen and started swinging at Benitez.

With nearly every player taking part, and the 31,311 fans roaring them on, the pile moved toward Baltimore's third-base dugout. Wells, however, was held back by Baltimore's Jimmy Key.

Out of nowhere, Strawberry came rushing at Benitez and, after landing a punch to the face, fell from the edge of the dugout a few steps onto the bench.

Baltimore's Cal Ripken and coach Eddie Murray tried to restrain Strawberry from doing further damage, but he tangled with pitcher Alan Mills.

"When it stemmed into the dugout and guys were rolling down the steps, it got ugly," Orioles catcher Lenny Webster said."That's when you can get a broken arm or a broken leg."

Benitez and Mills were ejected, as were Lloyd, Strawberry and Nelson.

The only injury was a bruise on Martinez's back. He was not available for comment, and the umpires were gone shortly after the game.

"I'm OK," is all Strawberry said.

Benitez claimed he was innocent.

"I don't throw at people," he said."All I have to say is that I'm sorry for what happened."

Torre was not so forgiving.

"It was a rotten thing to do. It was so blatant," he said."He caused a riot. Everytime you stopped a leak, another one would break out."

After the last out, the Orioles milled around in their dugout for several minutes, making sure they were finished fighting for the night.

"Maybe Budig should have (Orioles owner) Peter Angelos and I go three rounds to settle it," Steinbrenner said.

When play resumed, Bobby Munoz replaced Benitez. Tim Raines struck the final blow, hitting a home run on Munoz's first pitch.

The Orioles, with baseball's highest payroll, lost their sixth in a row and dropped into last place in the AL East, 12 games behind the Yankees. New York leads the majors with a 29-9 record.

"I just hope we'll be kicking the hell out of them," Steinbrenner said. "Maybe they can't win any games so they have to win fights."

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