Utley's Suspension Appeal Hearing Put Off
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Chase Utley's appeal hearing for his two-game postseason suspension was not heard Monday, but he was still kept out of the starting lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman was still eligible to play in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Mets, and he could be called on later to pinch hit or be a defensive replacement.
MLB and the players' association were working to schedule the hearing before special assistant to the commissioner John McHale Jr., according to The Associated Press.
PALLADINO: HARVEY MUST AVENGE HIMSELF — AND TEJADA — IN GAME 3
Utley was penalized Sunday by MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre, who said Utley's takeout of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in Game 2 on Saturday was an "illegal slide." Tejada's right leg was broken, and he will miss the rest of the postseason.
The Mets starter for Game 3 is Matt Harvey who has a history of plunking Utley.
"As far as sticking up for your teammates, I think being there and doing what's right is exactly what I'm going to do," Harvey said.
Utley has a history of questionable slides. He had a similar collision with Tejada in 2010 when Utley was with the Phillies.
Utley apologized for injuring Tejada, but Mets fans did not appear to be in a very forgiving mood. The Mayor certainly wasn't.
"He can appeal all he wants, but he's guilty as sin. That is a tackle," Mayor de Blasio said.
Mets fans were sour on Monday night, but the situation should make for great theater at Citi Field.
Fans told CBS2's Otis Livingston they would rather Matt Harvey win the game and not worry about getting revenge and possibly getting ejected from the game.
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