Tim Anderson was levied a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for making contact with an umpire during the benches-clearing incident in the ninth inning of Monday's game between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers.
Anderson's suspension was scheduled to begin Wednesday, but the star shortstop is appealing the ban, which only applies to regular-season games. That's obviously good news for the White Sox, who obviously need their energizing leadoff hitter if their going to accomplish their sky-high goals for the postseason.
The benches cleared at Comerica Park after José Abreu, who had been hit by a pitch for the 21st time this season, slid hard into second base, much to the displeasure of Tigers infielder Niko Goodrum. Abreu explained Tuesday that he took particular exception when pitcher Alex Lange, who plunked him shortly before, came over and started talking after the slide. The reigning American League MVP said it was his second angriest moment in a White Sox uniform.
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"About the slide into second base, I just did what I usually do. I don't think it was anything wrong," Abreu said Tuesday through team interpreter Billy Russo. "That's the way that I play, I've been playing that way for my whole career. There's nothing else to say.
"Even when (Lange) hit me, he didn't apologize or say anything. And that's fine, but then I slid into second base and he started chirping. That's not good, you don't do that. Why are you doing that? You threw the pitch that you're supposed to, apologize or do something. You didn't and then you start talking to me? That's not the way that we play baseball."
Anderson's involvement, specifically, was not discussed much prior to the suspension being handed down Wednesday, greater focus on teammates like Eloy Jiménez and Gavin Sheets, who helped restrain the angry Abreu and keep him away from the center of the scrum as the benches cleared.
But here's a look at Anderson during the dustup:
The White Sox looked positively on the team's rallying to back Abreu, one of the clubhouse leaders.
"At that moment, when I slide into second and the benches cleared, it was a really nice moment for me to see the support of my teammates, everybody on the field trying to protect me. That meant a lot," Abreu said. "It wasn't the best moment or the best action, but that's something that made me feel good and showed everybody how unified we are."
Anderson had his own reaction to the suspension, tweeting before the start of Wednesday's game.