Cole Hamels should be banned for 15 games, says Tigers’ Jim Leyland – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland will be worried man these days. The Tigers have failed to live up to their immense potential since the start of the season and Leyland must be extremely frustrated with what he has seen from the players.
Leyland, who is never bothered about another team’s players finally spoke out against Cole Hamels. In an interview with a leading sports website, Leyland stated that Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Hamels should have been handed 15 games suspension.
Major League Baseball has suspended Cole for five games but Leyland believes that the punishment should have been harder for the Phillies’ starter. Hamels faced great deal of criticism after he hit rookie Bryce Harper with a pitch. Leyland refused to comment
on the incident in his previous interview but he made it clear about he feels on Tuesday evening when he stated that the five-game ban is too light.
"I think five games is way too light," Leyland said. "Personally, if I was making that vote, it would be a 15-game suspension — at least.
"I don't know Cole Hamels, so I certainly don't have any qualms with Cole Hamels. I don't know the man. I know he's a very good pitcher, a very talented guy.
"You know, we're always talking about our game being cleaned up and doing the right things for our game in all areas," said Leyland, "and I'm 100 percent for that. But this is a perfect time to show that we mean business."
According to sources, Hamels hit the rookie on a purpose and he even talked to his team mates about hitting the guy. Leyland further added that if a pitcher from his team did such a thing, he would have voted for his punishment.
The game should be played with the right spirit and the players should mean business. Harper was lucky to survive a major injury and the damage done could have been worse.
Hamels in an extremely talented pitcher and he is given some great performances since becoming a part of the club. He had an impressive 13-6 record with 150 strikeouts and 2.53 ERA last season.
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