Andre Dawson thinks umpire Joe West has to take some of the blame for their bumping incident last week which led to a one-game suspension and $1,000 fine for the Chicago Cubs outfielder.
After the arguement and Dawson's ejection, the player went back to the dugout and threw 14 bats onto the field.Dawson said in Cincinnati on Monday that he thinks players and umpires should be judged the same.
"Joe West has had his run-ins not only with players but with Bill White, too. And nothing has been made of it," Dawson said. "If we are judged, we ought to be judged equally."
In handing down the suspension and fine Monday, National League president Bill White said Dawson would sit out tonight's game at Cincinnati for his bumping West and tossing the bats a week ago against the Reds at Wrigley Field.
Dawson will appeal the suspension today through the Major League Baseball Players Association, union lawyer Eugene Orza said. The suspension cannot take effect until after White hears Dawson's appeal.
Jim Frey, the Cubs' executive vice president, was not immediately available for comment because the team was off Monday, said Cubs spokesman Chuck Wasserstrom.