MLB bans Tim Anderson for 6 games, Jose Ramirez for 3 for fights

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CLEVELAND — Chicago’s Tim Anderson has been suspended from Major League Baseball for six games and Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez for three games for instigating and sparking a long, wild brawl between the White Sox and the Guardians on Saturday night.

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MLB on Monday announced disciplinary action against Anderson and Ramirez, as well as additional suspensions and fines after one of baseball’s ugliest duels in several years.

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Anderson and Ramirez were also fined for an undisclosed amount. Both players are appealing.

In addition, Cleveland manager Terry Francona, closer Emmanuel Clase and third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh were each suspended for one game. Chicago coach Pedro Grifol was also suspended for one game.

In addition, White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech and Guardians rookie Gabriel Arias have been fined an undisclosed amount for their actions.

Francona and Clase will serve out their suspensions on Monday when the Guardians open a four-game series with Toronto. Grifol will also serve out his suspension on Monday when the White Sox host the New York Yankees. Sarbaugh intends to sit Tuesday.

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Ramirez’s eventual loss is a major blow to the Guardians as they try to stay in touch with the first-ranked Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. Cleveland starts the week 4 1/2 games behind.

The White Sox are 23 games under .500 and are already planning for next season after transferring some veterans at the close.

Anderson and Ramirez traded several punches near second base in the sixth inning, with the Guardians all-star third baseman landing a right punch to the White Sox shortstop’s chin, knocking him backwards onto the infield dirt.

Players and coaches from both teams joined in, and more outbursts erupted during the extended scuffle. It took the referee team more than 15 minutes to get the situation under control and restart the game. Chicago won 7-4.

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The altercation began harmlessly when Ramirez slid headfirst into second base with an RBI double. He slipped between Anderson’s legs and seemed annoyed by a hard punch. Ramirez jumped up and the two exchanged words, with Ramirez pointing in Anderson’s face as second base umpire Malachi Moore tried to step in.

Anderson then dropped his glove and challenged Ramirez by raising his hands and adopting a boxer’s stance. The players executed shots, with Ramirez hitting with a blind punch that sent Anderson falling on his backside, prompting both teams to join.

After the game, Ramirez said he was upset with Anderson for some previous actions.

“He hasn’t respected the game for a while,” Ramirez said through interpreter Agustin Rivero. “It’s not from yesterday. It’s from before. I even had a chance to say to him during the game, “Don’t do that.” It’s disrespectful. Don’t start tagging people like that because the reality here is we are trying to find ways to provide for our families.”

As he got up, Anderson kept trying to get at Ramirez.

He was led off the field but returned shortly after and attempted to get to Ramirez before being physically carried into the dugout by teammate Andrew Vaughn, who wrapped his arms around Anderson.

The White Sox and Guardians wrapped up their season series on Sunday and won’t face each other again until 2024.