Herzog: Umpire Should Be Suspended, Same as Andujar

Still miffed over what he believes was a blown call, St. Louis Cardinal Manager Whitey Herzog says American League umpire Don Denkinger should get a suspension similar to the one imposed against Cardinal pitcher Joaquin Andujar.

Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth Tuesday suspended Andujar for 10 days next season and fined him $500 for his action during the final game of the World Series Sunday night.

Andujar was punished for bumping Denkinger, who was umpiring at home plate in the 11-0 Cardinal loss, and for destroying a toilet and sink with a bat in the visiting clubhouse at Royals Stadium in Kansas City.

Herzog said he agreed with the commissioner’s office on the action against Andujar.

“It’s good, maybe he’ll learn something,” Herzog said.

But Herzog told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Ueberroth did not go far enough. He said the commissioner also should punish Denkinger, who called Jorge Orta safe on a play at first base in the ninth inning of Game 6. Replays appeared to show that Orta was out.

“They should suspend the umpires,” Herzog said. “When umpires mess up in the World Series, they ought to be suspended for 10 days.”