The Chirp: Chase Utley Suspended

The Players' Tribune

The Voice of the Game

Oct 12, 2015

On Saturday night, Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley broke up a potentially inning-ending double play by taking out Mets shortstop Rubén Tejada.

Utley’s controversial slide sparked much debate.

On Sunday, Major League Baseball announced that Utley would be suspended for Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS as a result of the play.

LAD INF Utley has been suspended for Games 3 & 4 of NLDS as a result of his illegal slide in the 7th inning on Sat. pic.twitter.com/ktAjmXWFaR
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) October 12, 2015

Soon after, it was announced that Utley would appeal the decision.

UPDATE: MLB has announced that it will not hear Utley’s appeal before Game 3. Utley will be active and will play.

As word of Utley’s suspension spread, athletes from across the sports world took to Twitter to react:

Whoa. #SlideGate https://t.co/6bZDyRgWgA — Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) October 12, 2015

What a joke...
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) October 12, 2015

All this boils down to is there needs to be a rule change...which with this instance among others will happen.
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) October 12, 2015

The Dodgers stand behind Chase Utley and his decision to appeal the suspension issued tonight by MLB. No further comment at this time.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2015

?Smh! #FreeChaseUtley
— Tony Gwynn Jr. (@tonygwynnjr) October 12, 2015

#UtleyGate. Cause of this being unprecedented, Utley/PA will appeal and be heard probably in offseason. He'll be available to play. #process
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) October 12, 2015

So now we have to suspend Didi??? This happens ALL the time turning DP https://t.co/7ugLYqm6CB #utleygate #unprecedented
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) October 12, 2015

Not a hard case for Utley/PA. Do they suspend Mets Murphy for not being in proximity of Base with Jroll?! #LA #MLB pic.twitter.com/wWGOqpC5r6
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) October 12, 2015

Utley suspended. Good for him
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) October 12, 2015

Thoughts on the Utley suspension? Fair to impose suspension now? Was the "posey rule" immediately implemented? What's the difference?
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) October 12, 2015

Would a concession of his playoff share, to Tejada or charity, including an added fine be a viable option in lieu of suspension for utley?
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) October 12, 2015

That Utley ruling just opened a large can of worms!! MLB if we change rules in the middle of the playoffs we have a problem!!!!
— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) October 12, 2015

The Chirp: Chase Utley Suspended

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