MVN - Most Valuable Network

NEWSFLASH: Sexson Suspended; Mench Traded; Murphy Wins AL Rookie Of The Month

Dallas Morning News: Texas Rangers deal with fallout from brawl

Major League Baseball handed Richie Sexson, who charged the mound after a high pitch from Gabbard, a six-game suspension and a fine. Rangers catcher Gerald Laird was fined $1,000 and Ponson $500 for their parts in the scrum. Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez also was fined.

Ponson said he will appeal just to find out what Bob Watson, who handles discipline for the league, was thinking.

“I didn’t do nothing,” said an animated Ponson, who used several expletives during his brief chat with the media. “Basically, they’re telling me next time I get off the bench, go and hit somebody and get your money’s worth.”

Sexson asked the players’ association to appeal, and any suspension will be delayed until after a hearing.

Gabbard said he was not throwing at Sexson, who threw his helmet at Gabbard as he sprinted to the mound.

Dallas Morning News Rangers Blog: Mench traded

The Rangers have traded Kevin Mench to Toronto for cash considerations. Mench was batting .282 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games for Triple-A Oklahoma.

Mench had a clause in his contract that allowed him to ask for his release if he wasn’t in the majors by June 1. With all of the Rangers’ outfielders, including the red-hot Brandon Boggs, there wasn’t room for Mench.

MLB.com: Murphy ropes in AL Rookie honors

The month of April is in the books and the nod for top rookie in the American League goes to Texas outfielder David Murphy.

In the charter version of Major League Baseball’s newest award, Murphy outpolled Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Tigers right-hander Armando Galarraga and A’s left-hander Greg Smith to win the newly created Rookie of the Month Award presented by Gillette.

“It’s flattering,” Murphy said. “I try to play hard every day and contribute to the team’s success but individual accolades are always flattering.”

This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pm and is filed under The Season. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.