Martin Suspended 3 Games, Fined $1,000 for Incident

New York Yankees Manager Billy Martin was fined $1,000 and suspended for three games Thursday by the American League for kicking and throwing dirt on umpire Dale Scott after being thrown out of a game.

“There is no excuse sufficient enough to warrant dirt being kicked and thrown on an umpire,” AL President Bobby Brown said. “I have warned Billy that this type of action must cease and that, if repeated, it could result in harsher penalties.”

Martin, who was fined $300 for a similar incident earlier this season, said he would not appeal the fine or suspension, which starts today. But he blasted Scott and crew chief Rich Garcia for their handling of the incident, which occurred during the third inning of Monday night’s game with the Oakland Athletics.

The controversy started when umpire Rick Reed ruled that second baseman Bobby Meacham trapped a low line drive by Oakland’s Walt Weiss. Meacham thought he caught the ball, so he didn’t try to throw out Weiss at first.

Martin appealed Reed’s call to Scott, who ejected the 60-year-old manager for allegedly using profanity. Martin then kicked dirt on Scott’s shoes and scooped up a pile of dirt and threw it at the first-base umpire.

In statement issued Thursday by the Yankees, Martin said Scott first told him that he didn’t see the play, then changed his story after meeting with the other umpires. Martin also said Scott baited him after he had trouble kicking dirt off the wet ground.

“He told me, ‘Throw some more dirt on me,’ and I did. He also said that I kicked him, but the films clearly show that he told an untruth there too.”