Sports > Dirt-Kicker Piniella Gets 4-Game Leave

la Suspended 4 Games for Seekend Dirt-Kicking Tantrum Against an Umpire

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella, center, kicks his hat as he argues with third base umpire Mark Wegner, left, and home plate umpire Bruce Froemming watches during the eighth inning of a baseball game against Atlanta Braves, Saturday, June 2, 2007, in Ch

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella's suspension was set at four games Monday by Major League Baseball for his weekend dirt-kicking tantrum against an umpire.

"I will serve it and I will learn from this experience," Piniella said before Monday night's game at Milwaukee. "These things won't happen again."

The commissioner's office originally planned to suspend Piniella for five games. The penalty was reduced by one game after Piniella spoke with John McHale Jr., MLB's executive vice president for administration.

Piniella said he was suspended for making contact with umpire Mark Wegner which the Cubs first-year manager denied and for "exciting the crowd, which is not hard to do in Chicago."

Piniella started serving the penalty Sunday, when baseball said he was being suspended indefinitely pending his talk with McHale. Piniella said he planned to watch Monday's game with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry from a suite at Miller Park.

Bench coach Alan Trammell managed the Cubs in their 10-1 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He will continue running the team in Piniella's absence.

"I was very pleased to see the team play well yesterday and hopefully they will do well in Milwaukee," Piniella said.

Piniella was ejected in the eighth inning of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field after Angel Pagan was thrown out trying to steal third.

Piniella ran onto the field and kicked dirt as he argued and tossed his cap. After seeing a replay following the game, Piniella said Wegner's call was correct.

"I didn't think he got it right from my vantage point in the dugout," he said. "There were frustrations involved also. I have to go out there and defend my team.

"At the same time, there was no need for all the extracurricular stuff, too. I apologize to the umpire for that. I really do. I respect these guys. It's over and it's time to move on."

2007-06-06