According Matt Cerrone at Mets Blog, OF Carlos Beltran and Mets manager Jerry Manuel were fined for their fight with umpire Brian Runge during Tuesday night’s game.  Runge was suspended for his actions, likely because he escalated the fight and initiated some of the conflict. 

The fines and suspension stems from an incident from the Mets 11-0 loss to the Mariners on Tuesday.  Beltran was upset with a few called strikes, and Runge seemed to initiate the conflict by approaching Beltran.  Manuel intervened, where Runge continued to escalate things by yelling at Manuel and bumping him.  Manuel was tossed, and then Beltran continued the argument and was also kicked out of the game.   

Ok, it’s fine that Beltran and Manuel were fined, but the real victory here was that Runge was suspended.  He was clearly just looking for some action and to pick a fight.  He found the opportunity and for no apparent reason he escalated a conflict, which is the complete opposite of his duty as an umpire.  It’s nice to see MLB recognize the need for discipline there.   

(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)