MLB fines Nats GM Mike Rizzo for his Hamels comments

mlb.com / 5-8-12

PITTSBURGH -- Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was fined an undisclosed amount of money by the Commissioner's Office, a baseball source confirmed, for comments pertaining to left-hander Cole Hamels, who hit outfielder Bryce Harper with a pitch during Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Phillies.

After that game, Hamels said he intentionally hit Harper in the lower back in the first inning, and Rizzo responded by telling the Washington Post on Monday that he took exception to Hamels' comment. Hamels ended up getting a five-game suspension and was fined an undisclosed amount of money.

"I've never seen a more classless, gutless [expletive] act in my 30 years in baseball," Rizzo said to the Post. "Cole Hamels says he's old school? He's the polar opposite of old school. He's fake tough. He thinks he's going to intimidate us after hitting our 19-year-old rookie who's eight games into the big leagues? He doesn't know who he's dealing with."

On Tuesday, Rizzo declined to talk about being fined or anything about Hamels. However, Rizzo praised Harper for being professional after getting hit by the pitch. After getting drilled, Harper advanced to third on a single by Jayson Werth. Harper was then able to pay Hamels back by stealing home while the pitcher tried to pick off Werth at first base. Harper is the second player in Nationals history to steal home, and the first to do so on a straight steal. Ian Desmond stole home as part of a double steal on April 20, 2011, against the Cardinals.

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A bullshit move by Selig.