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Nationals’ Cavalli suspended seven games after ‘Sit down, boy’ comment sparks brawl
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Major League Baseball suspended Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli and Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras for seven games each due to their involvement in a benches-clearing incident at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
- Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas and Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton also received suspensions of five and three games respectively, with all four players fined an undisclosed amount.
- The altercation began after Cavalli struck out Contreras and reportedly used the phrase “Sit down, boy,” which has racist connotations; Cavalli apologized, stating he did not intend the term disparagingly and expressed regret for the impact.
- Contreras was ejected for throwing his batting helmet during the melee and had been ejected the previous game as well, acknowledging stress related to recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
- The suspensions take effect Friday but players may appeal, delaying enforcement until the appeal process concludes.
