The longstanding rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants added another layer to its history this week when a confrontation between Yasiel Puig and Nick Hundley led to a benches-clearing brawl.
It began when Puig fouled a pitch off and yelled toward the Dodgers dugout because of frustration with himself. Hundley said something in response, which angered Puig and led to him shoving the Giants catcher.
Major League Baseball announced a two-game suspension and fine for Puig, while Hundley, perceived by many as the instigator, only received a fine.
As was suggested prior to the ruling coming down, Puig intends to appeal the suspension, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Yasiel Puig is planning on appealing his suspension. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 16, 2018
By appealing the suspension, Puig will remain eligible to play when the Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
This is not the first time that Puig has gotten involved in a confrontation with the Giants, and he believes that it only happens when the team’s play at Dodger Stadium which he felt is an act of disrespect.
This isn’t the first time this season that a Dodgers player has been suspended for getting into a brawl as Matt Kemp received a one-game ban earlier in the season after getting into it with Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos after he ran over him trying to score on a fly ball to right field.