Penalties Don’t Stop Charlton

Norm Charlton, the Cincinnati Reds pitcher who last week said he intentionally hit the Dodgers’ Mike Scioscia and would do it again, was suspended for seven days and fined $1,000 by the National League Monday.

Charlton, who will remain eligible because he is appealing the fine, apologized for his words but not his actions.

“I made a mistake by saying it,” he said Monday before the first of a two-game series at Dodger Stadium.

With two out in the eighth inning Monday, Scioscia batted against Charlton, who had started the inning. With the Dodger stadium crowd on its feet during the entire at-bat, Scioscia fouled off four pitches before grounding the fifth into right field for a single.

Scioscia was given a standing ovation, and Charlton was booed as he left the field one out later.

When asked if he had made a mistake by intentionally hitting Sciocia, Charlton would not comment. “I can’t answer that,” he said, later adding, “If I do hit somebody intentionally, I’m not talking about it.”

A statement issued by National League President Bill White said: “Charlton was suspended for his comments admitting he deliberately threw at Mike Scioscia of the Dodgers and his threats concerning hitting Mr. Scioscia in the future.”

In the Dodgers’ 10-4 victory at Cincinnati Sept. 9, Charlton hit Scioscia in the hand with a pitch because he thought Scioscia was stealing signs. Afterward, Charlton made the admission to a reporter for the Cincinnati Post.

“I threw at him , I hit him on the arm, but I didn’t mean to hit him on the arm,” Charlton said. “He’ll be lucky if I don’t rip his head off the next time I’m pitching.”

The Dodgers vowed revenge, though they probably won’t retaliate until next season.

Many players, however, were upset Monday because Charlton’s appeal means that he will not miss either of the final two games against the Dodgers but might miss some of the Reds’ finalsix games against the Atlanta Braves.

“That would be pretty stupid for him to play against us and not against the Braves,” said Tom Lasorda, Dodger manager. “Why doesn’t White fly here and hear that appeal right now?”

Scioscia remained unfazed after hearing of the suspension.

“It’s nice to see the league take action, but my reaction is the same as before--it’s not my problem, it’s his (Charlton’s) problem,” Scioscia said.