Monday, June 30, 2003
Boyd not fine with fine: Jason Boyd admits to the crime, but he doesn't want to do the time. The Indians reliever was suspended three games and fined $1,500 Thursday for bumping umpire Dana DeMuth during an argument last weekend. Boyd said he will appeal the penalty. He can continue to play until the process is complete. "I know I was wrong for what I did and I'm sure that deserves consequences, but the three days and $1,500, I don't know about that," Boyd said. "You got guys who were actually fighting recently and they didn't get something that strong." Last Saturday night in Pittsburgh, Boyd became upset by several ball-strike calls from DeMuth in the seventh inning. "My part was wrong, but at the same time I think what he did was also wrong," said Boyd, who was pulled after facing only four batters and then got into a loud debate with DeMuth, bumping the umpire slightly. "First of all, I've never had a confrontation with any umpire in my life," said Boyd. "I'm out of the game anyway and for him to say something to me and throw me out of the game, I didn't think there was a reason. I was on my way back to the dugout. For him to be staring at me, that's when I kind of lost my head."
If the fans like it: With one more inter-league series to play, this weekend's Battle of Ohio with the Cincinnati Reds, Indians manager Eric Wedge remains pragmatic about facing National League teams. "If it is something the fans like, something they enjoy and the novelty has not worn off, then let's keep doing it," Wedge said. He admits that a downside is fans do not see as much of traditional AL rivals like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. "It alters the schedule, but you have to give up something to get something," Wedge said.
Will to win: Left-hander Brian Anderson was pleased with his fine pitching performance Wednesday night -- to a point. "Starting pitchers are selfish guys," said Anderson, who allowed only one run over eight innings in a 3-1, 10-inning loss to Kansas City. "A starter wants to win," Anderson continued. "When that no longer becomes an option -- well, first and foremost you want the team to win. I always want my team to win, but I want me to get them there. So, I didn't get the win, my team lost, and everything else -- no matter how good it might have been -- becomes secondary." Anderson said he just wants to take the same approach into his next start. "I had as good command as I have had all year, especially the breaking ball was working real well," he said. "If I can do it again and get a win, that's when I'll be happy."
Settling in: Infielder Ricky Gutierrez said his first week back in the majors has been a time of reflection -- and of satisfaction. "When I got my first hit, I did stand at first base and thought, 'Wow, there was a time when who was sure I'd be here?' " said Gutierrez, whose career was in doubt last fall after having surgery to fuse two vertebrae in his neck. "My entire body feels great now," he said. "All the work, all the time I put in has me in good shape. I feel I am all the way back to where I was before, no question. "I really can't say how happy I am to be back."
-- Associated Press