April 17, 200619 yr http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/ar...t=.jsp&c_id=cws No more tarp sliding for Buehrle Southpaw reportedly fined for Sunday's rain-delay actions By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CHICAGO -- Mark Buehrle's tarp-diving days officially came to a close Sunday afternoon, now slipping and sliding in its fourth year of rain delay theater. During the second of two rain delays in the White Sox 6-4 victory over Toronto in 4 1/2 innings, Buehrle entertained the rain-soaked masses by walking out to the field and gliding across the tarp on his stomach after taking a running start from right-center. He followed that graceful move with another dive toward home plate as the rain poured down. As Buehrle walked back toward the dugout after completing the show, he raised his hands to acknowledge the crowd's approval and seemed to wave one hand as if to indicate the fans should also partake in the activity. Neither of those moves sat very well with the organization, especially general manager Ken Williams. Both Buehrle and manager Ozzie Guillen said the left-handed ace would be fined for his actions. Guillen did not chastise Buehrle for his perceived indiscretion, but the manager was not about to stand up for arguably his favorite player on the team if Buehrle had been injured during the tarp dive. In an e-mailed response to MLB.com, Williams also made it crystal clear as to what he thought about Buehrle taking another dive during the next rain delay. "He needs to find another hobby," Williams wrote, although he did not confirm Buehrle's fine. A fan came out of the stands and decided to do his own tarp dive shortly after Buehrle left the field, but he was immediately apprehended by security. One team official said that the fear of inciting other fans to follow in his footsteps also was a strong reason for Buehrle to simply stick to pitching. Buehrle didn't speak to the print or electronic media as he was walking out of the clubhouse, smiling as he said that he probably shouldn't comment because he got in trouble for his actions. But he did talk briefly to the television crews right after the victory. "After I came in, somebody else said [i was fined]," Buehrle said in the interview. "We'll see if it comes out to be the truth, but if it is, I won't be out there anymore. I can't have any fun no more." Future fun for Buehrle probably will have to consist of earning 20 victories or winning the American League Cy Young Award.
April 17, 200619 yr QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 07:42 PM) Why now? It's not like this is the 1st time I think because he encouraged the fans to get involved, and he cant do that kind of stuff.
April 17, 200619 yr I was there I saw him do it. I was about 4 rows up from third base I saw Mark Standing out of the dug out. I was that close. As soon as I saw him take a few steps toward the field I knew what he was going to do. I didn't know that Mark had gotten in trouble for it, but I left right after that. I didn't see the second person try. I understand why he shouldn't do it imagine one day if he landed wrong and broke his wrist. But I feel bad for Mark.
April 17, 200619 yr Slap on the hand, go about your business.... it's probably gonna be over played in the media though. Burls wont re-sign after this blah blah blah
April 17, 200619 yr I'm surprised they didn't give him hell after the last time this occurred. Can you imagine if he injured his shoulder and was out for 2 months. This message board would be infuriated.
April 17, 200619 yr I agree, he should not have involved the fans in his "fun", but still, slapping him with a fine is pretty s***ty too. Its common knowledge that his diving worries everyone, always fearing a stupid injury. But still, its just Mark being Mark...
April 17, 200619 yr I love Buehrle for doing stuff like that. Im not shocked by this, just sad. His probability of getting hurt by sliding on his belly in the rain is about as high as him getting hurt walking on the dugout steps. but I understand the organization stopping him.
April 17, 200619 yr Ridiculous. I wonder if there is a clause in his contract that says he can't buy a slip n slide.
April 17, 200619 yr He also should move closer to the cell, sit when pulling on his underwear, install grab rails and handicap access in his shower, where does it end?
April 17, 200619 yr IMO, stupidest fine ever. I have yet to see anyone get injured slip and sliding over a slip and slide or a tarp. Buehrle's about fun and it's not like he's out riding a motorcycle or anything like that.
April 17, 200619 yr This is bulls***. He should do it again next time, and the time after, too. I'd understand if he was doing something truly reckless, but it's silly simple fun. A five year old can do it and does do it without being injured. What're Ozzie and Kenny going to do if he does it again -- fire him? Bench him? I hope the fine isn't a bulls*** and excessive number, either.
April 17, 200619 yr QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 08:09 PM) Its not about an injury. Its about Mark waving on the fans to come on the field, which sitting from my seat, he did do. It sucks he cant do it anymore, cause it was great for us today, but I dont blame them for a fine. One idiot(the fan) ruins it for everyone once again. If it's about that, then Kenny Williams is the idiot. Just forbid him from waving to the fans and "seem[ingly]" inviting people onto the field, and let him keep doing it during rain delays. By the way, I was there too. Bad ass game. A lot of fun.
April 17, 200619 yr QUOTE(Felix @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 06:42 PM) Buehrle should put a clause in his next contract allowing him to tarp dive LOL Let me tarp dive or Im going to St. Louis. LMFAO!!!
April 17, 200619 yr I have yet to see anyone get injured slip and sliding over a slip and slide or a tarp. --I agree it's b.s. to fine him. I hope they show it on ESPN over and over, but your post did remind me. I know a guy who actually is paralyzed because he head firsted on a slip and slide when he was a freshman in college. Amazing but true. He's a heck of a person too. He's made a great life for himself as an academic counselor at a college. It shows you can bust your body up.
April 17, 200619 yr Good. Fans would be livid if Buerhle seriosuly hurt himself and Cubs fans would be in our faces. Can you imagine what Moronotti would say if Buerhle did such a thing?
April 17, 200619 yr QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Apr 16, 2006 -> 09:33 PM) GCubs fans would be in our faces. I can think of much much much much much much better reasons to worry about Buehrle getting injured.
April 17, 200619 yr I can think of much much much much much much better reasons to worry about Buehrle getting injured. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, a line drive off the elbow, a pulled hammy pitching, these things, yes. But still, they'd be in our faces if he did the tarp slide and tore a hammy.
April 17, 200619 yr This kind of goes against the whole White Sox style of "who gives a f*** about how things should be done?" eh, he's getting fined because he encouraged FANS to come out on the FIELD.
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