New Twist: Umpire Suspended

Umpire Tom Hallion was suspended for three games without pay by National League president Len Coleman on Friday for his actions during an argument with Colorado catcher Jeff Reed and pitching coach Milt May last weekend.

While penalties against players are common, baseball officials couldn’t recall another suspension of an umpire for an on-field dispute. But they also could not rule out that it happened before.

In 1990, NL president Bill White was prepared to suspend umpire Joe West for slamming Philadelphia pitcher Dennis Cook to the field, but Commissioner Fay Vincent intervened and no discipline was imposed.

The dispute last Saturday began when Colorado pitcher Mike DeJean, while walking to his dugout after an inning, complained to third base umpire Terry Tata about a check-swing call. Hallion, who was working the plate during the game in San Diego, told DeJean to get in the dugout.

DeJean said he told Hallion he was going to the dugout. At that point, DeJean and Manager Jim Leyland were ejected. During the ensuing argument, it appeared Hallion made contact with Reed and May, a charge Tata denied after the game on Hallion’s behalf.

No Rockies were penalized. Hallion, in his 14th NL season, stands to lose about $2,500 of his salary, which is $140,000 according to the salary scale in the umpires’ labor agreement. The suspension is scheduled to start July 9.

Hallion declined comment as he arrived to work Friday’s game between the Reds and Astros in Cincinnati. But Richie Phillips, head of the umpires’ union, said in a statement:

“Tom did nothing on the field that day which would warrant the imposition of a sanction of any kind.”

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St. Louis pitcher Alan Benes, on a long comeback trail from two shoulder operations, faced batters Friday for the first time in two years, throwing 25 pitches off the mound before the Cardinals played the Diamondbacks.

Benes plans to test the arm again Monday, then throw a simulated game. A rehabilitation stint would follow if there are no problems.

Benes, 27, said he could be working out of the bullpen within three weeks and expects to be back in the majors by August.