Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990 TAG: 9005310188
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium
Robinson said he will appeal the suspension in a hearing today before AL President Bobby Brown. Robinson was allowed to manage Wednesday night in the Baltimore-Minnesota game, with Coble as the second-base umpire, pending the appeal.
"I want to have my say. I want to see what everyone has to say. I'll save my comments for the league president," Robinson said.
Robinson, who once threatened to quit because he said umpires were harassing his players, called Coble a "liar" and "a no-good human being" after an argument that resulted in his ejection from an Orioles-Twins game Monday.
Robinson, who is black, also has accused Coble of being prejudiced. Coble said Robinson should be ashamed of himself for making such an accusation.
Brown said the suspension was for "physical contact with the umpire, use of abusive language, delay of the game and inappropriate postgame remarks to the press."
Robinson said Coble initiated the contact. Asked if he regretted getting into the argument with Coble or calling him names afterward, Robinson said: "No."
Coble was the plate umpire Monday when, in the eighth inning, Twins manager Tom Kelly replaced pitcher Juan Berenguer with Terry Leach. Kelly finished speaking with Leach, took a few steps toward the dugout, stopped, turned around and again conferred briefly with Leach before leaving the field.
Robinson, already angered about a called third strike against Mickey Tettleton, argued that Kelly should have been charged with a second trip to the mound and that Leach should have been removed. Robinson became irate when Coble told him that it wouldn't be considered a trip because Kelly hadn't crossed the foul line before returning to the mound.
"He said, `In the American League, you have to cross the line,' like I don't know the rules in the American League," Robinson said.
Actually, Rule 8.06 states: "A manager is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when he leaves the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher's rubber." But Kelly didn't appear to go that far away from Leach.
Robinson was most upset about Coble's response.
"It was the arrogance of it," Robinson said. "His tone, his attitude."
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB