PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 23: Manager Buck Showalter #11 of the New York Mets looks on before the start of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 23, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter was shocked that St. Louis Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp was not suspended for role in benches-clearing brawl.
Tensions were at an all-time high between the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, with the former being hit by pitches a ton in the first month of the 2022 season. That eventually led to the Mets throwing up and in at Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado on Wednesday, Apr. 27, leading to a benches-clearing incident.
Arenado was suspended two games while Genesis Cabrera received a one-game suspension for their role in the incident. As for St. Louis first base coach Stubby Clapp, who was seen pulling Mets slugger Pete Alonso to the ground, did not receive a punishment from the league.
Mets manager Buck Showalter was informed of the decision, and he was stunned, to say the least.
Buck Showalter shocked Cardinals coach was not suspended for role in benches-clearing incident
Clapp was the one who pulled Alonso to the ground during the scrum. Cabrera was also seen grabbing the Mets first baseman by the back of his uniform. Capp was ejected from the game as well. Yet, it was Cabrera, not Clapp, who received punishment by the league.
In addition to the suspensions, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty and Mets pitchers Taijuan Walker and Yoan Lopez, who threw at Arenado, were each fined by MLB. In fact, Walker found out he was being fined after looking on Twitter.
Arenado is appealing his suspension.
If Mets fans were puzzled why Clapp did not get suspended, Showalter is right there with you.