Phillies' Hamels suspended 5 games for hitting Harper
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels was suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Monday for intentionally throwing at Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
Unless Hamels appeals the suspension, Hamels is scheduled to begin serving his suspension Monday.
National general manager Mike Rizzo told the Washington Post that Hamels was "classless" for hitting Harper in the first inning Sunday.
"I've never seen a more classless, gutless chicken (bleep) act in my 30 years in baseball," Rizzo told the Post before the suspension was announced. "With all the bounty (stuff) going on in professional football, the commissioner better act with a purpose on this thing.
"Cole Hamels says he's old school? He's the polar opposite of old school. He's fake tough. He thinks he's going it intimidate us after hitting our 19-year rookie eight games into the big leagues? He doesn't know who he's dealing with."
After the game, Hamels admitted he hit Harper on purpose.
