Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos was suspended two games for his activities Saturday which resulted in a benches-clearing brawl together with all the St. Louis Cardinals.
Castellanos, who’s appealing the suspension, wasn’t the only player to be punished because he and five other people were fined.
The play really started on Thursday, Opening Day, once the Reds right fielder hit a home run and poking out of the box prior to pitching his bat. Following an off day for the teams on Friday, Castellanos was struck by a pitch by Cardinals reliever Jake Woodford from the fourth inning of Saturday’s match.
Unfazed by the plunking, Castellanos recovered the ball offered to throw it back to Woodford before turning it from play.
Just Castellanos was ejected as umpire crew chief Jim Reynolds stated Castellanos”re-engaged the rake in unnecessary style” after sliding in to home.
“I am not out here to disrespect whatever or nobody, but I need to win,” Castellanos said following Saturday’s 9-6 win.
St. Louis director Mike Shildt watched it differently.
“There isn’t any need to stand somebody and taunt a person,” Shildt explained.