Rogers’ Appeal of Suspension Is Denied

Kenny Rogers’ appeal of his 20-game suspension for shoving two cameramen was rejected Wednesday by Commissioner Bud Selig, who deemed the behavior of the Texas Ranger pitcher to be “wholly unacceptable.”

The players’ association said it would pursue a grievance before an arbitrator to overturn the penalty.

The commissioner, who heard Rogers’ appeal in Milwaukee last Friday, said the suspension would begin tonight. Rogers declined to comment.

“We’ll see what the next few days bring,” Ranger Manager Buck Showalter said. “We knew this was going to happen at some point, and we know we need a starter for Sunday.”

Under baseball’s rules, Selig decided the original penalty and also ruled on the appeal.

“Kenny Rogers’ behavior towards the two cameramen who were present at the ballpark and doing their job on June 29th, was wholly unacceptable,” Selig said in a statement. “I have always placed a special emphasis on the social responsibility that each of us has in Major League Baseball given its proper place in American history and culture as a social institution.

“The media is entitled to perform its important role without fear of physical intimidation or contact from our players or other participants. While I listened carefully to Kenny Rogers’ sincere explanation last week, I heard nothing that would warrant either eliminating or reducing the discipline imposed.”

Selig imposed the suspension and a $50,000 fine for a tirade in which Rogers shoved two cameramen when he came onto the field before the Rangers played the Angels at Arlington, Texas.

The players’ association filed a grievance on July 8, and arbitrator Shyam Das scheduled an Aug. 8 hearing after Selig made his decision Wednesday. Das turned down the union’s request to stay the suspension pending the new hearing, saying he didn’t think he had the authority, union general counsel Michael Weiner said.