Gurriel banned for racist gesture - but not in World Series

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel was issued a five-game suspension for the 2018 Major League Baseball season Saturday for a racist gesture, but he will continue playing in the World Series.

Gurriel made a racist gesture targeted at Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish while in the Astros dugout during Houston's 5-3 victory Friday after smashing a solo home run off the 31-year-old Japanese pitcher.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said he chose not to banish the 33-year-old Cuban infielder from the World Series in part because he did not want to punish the entire Astros squad for one player's actions.

"I understand people will have different views but it was my best judgement that this timing was appropriate," Manfred said.

"There's no question it's a difficult decision as to when the appropriate timing was. Obviously World Series games are different than regular-season games."

Manfred also justified not banning Gurriel for the most meaningful games rather than next year's openers in a 162-game schedule because it would cost Gurriel salary money, he would not appeal the punishment and it would help move forward as Darvish desired.

"There is complete unanimity there is no place in our game for any behavior like the behavior we witnessed last night," Manfred said. "There's no excuse that makes that behavior acceptable."

Gurriel's gesture, pulling the outer edges of his eyes with his fingertips, was captured on television cameras during the triumph that gave Houston a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven championship series.

"Acting like that was just disrespectful to people all over the world," Darvish said. "The Astros have Asian fans too."

Manfred praised Darvish, who asked for calm and understanding rather than reacting with anger.

"He handled this in as classy a way as a player possibly could something as negative as this," Manfred said of Darvish.

In addition to the suspension, Gurriel must undergo sensitivity training.

"It's important," Manfred said. "We all need continuing reminders and education in this area as to what's appropriate and not appropriate."

Darvish was tagged for four runs off five hits and lasted only 1 2/3 innings -- the shortest start of his career -- and still showed poise for the insult.

"What he had done today isn't right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning rather than to accuse him," Darvish wrote in a statement. "If we can take something from this, that is a giant step for mankind... let's stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger. I'm counting on everyone's big love."

- Lesser ban 'inadequate' -

Gurriel, who played the 2014 season for Japan's Yokohama BayStars, apologized to Darvish and said he meant no disrespect.

"I never intended to make an offensive gesture," Gurriel said. "If he was offended, I ask for his forgiveness. That wasn't my intention."

But Manfred said there was no excuse for his actions.

"He maintains that he did not intend to be offensive, but he understands that it was," Manfred said. "And that's what's important."

Manfred said Gurriel had to receive a harsher-than-usual ban.

"The two (games ban) that is the standard that had evolved over two or three situations was inadequate," Manfred said. "I decided to go beyond that.

"There needs to be disciplinary consequences to make it clear Major League Baseball will not tolerate that behavior."

- No appeal by Gurriel -

Gurriel could have appealed the ban and played in the World Series while an appeal process played out, but facing no World series ban seemed to ensure no appeal would follow, the players union confirming as much in a statement, Gurriel's forfeited salary to be donated to charity.

Manfred was questioned about hypocrisy and a double standard with Gurriel given the Cleveland Indians' logo of a grinning red-faced "Chief Wahoo."

"I see a difference between behavior from one player directed specifically at a player and a logo," Manfred said. "While both are problematic, I don't see them as the same issue.

"We continue to have conversations with the Indians about the logo and it's an issue I intend to deal with in the off-season."

Source: AFP