CC Sabathia and Joe Giradi both say Ryan Dempster’s suspension not harsh enough

Aug 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster (46) welcomes pitcher John Lackey (41) to the dugout after being relieved during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Pitcher CC Sabathia and manager Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees are both displeased with the five-game suspension given to Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster after he threw at Alex Rodriguez. It is unlikely that Dempster will even miss a start while serving his punishment.

Girardi says that he worries the minimal suspension could entice other pitchers to throw at Rodriguez without fear of missing starts:

I think when you talk about suspensions, if you suspend a position player three games, he misses three games. You can suspend a pitcher five games, even six games, and he might not miss a start if the off days come into play. That’s why I think everything has to be taken into account when you make a suspension. Not just in this case; all the time (USA Today Sports).

Pitcher CC Sabathia expressed a similar sentiment:

I thought he at least should miss a start and he’s not going to do that. I don’t think it does anything.

 

You don’t throw at a guy four times. He violated every code in every way. … I’m sure if it happens again that hopefully somebody will see that this isn’t enough and that guys need to be suspended longer.

What do you say, FinSiders? I know Rodriguez isn’t exactly a sympathetic figure, but do Girardi and Sabathia have a point here? Share your thoughts on the suspension in the comments below.

[Source: USA Today Sports]