Rockford Peaches manager Jimmy Dugan has been suspended and fined for a profanity-laced tirade launched during a recent game. Dugan was fined $55 for berating an umpire and one of his players, and he has been ordered to miss the team’s next three games.
Dugan became upset in the sixth inning of a recent game when outfielder Evelyn Gardner threw home instead of second, allowing the tying run to get into scoring position. The Peaches ended up blowing the lead and Dugan lit into Gardner after the half-inning, telling her to start thinking with her head. The harsh criticism caused Gardner to break down in tears, at which point the homeplate umpire told Dugan to cool it. Dugan initially backed down, but as the umpire was walking away he hurled an insult that the umpire heard. Once that was out in the open, Dugan didn’t hold back launching straight away with profanities. He was ejected and now the League’s commissioner has fined and suspended him.
Missing the games shouldn’t be an issue for Dugan. It was widely acknowledged that the former slugger had little interest in managing the Peaches when he first accepted the job. Dugan hardly bothered to fill out the lineup card, signal in plays, or show any interest in coaching up any of his players. It wasn’t until a key situation two weeks ago in Racine that he bothered to make a call, overruling catcher Dottie Hinson in the dugout after she signaled for a bunt. Dugan ordered second baseman Marla Hooch to swing away and she delivered with an extra-base hit, sparking a big rally. Since that time, Dugan has taken a more active stance with the team.
There is little doubt that Dugan, who has made it clear he’s only managing the team to collect a paycheck, is not bothered by the suspension. Dugan should find plenty of ways to spend the days off; it’s the fine that will undoubtedly bother him. Dugan has a reputation as an alcoholic who has endured financial difficulties after squandering the money he earned during his playing days. Maybe the harsh financial penalty will teach him to do what the umpire suggested: treat each of his players like they were his mother.
This post is a part of the Friday Film Festival at Larry Brown Sports. All contents of the story are purely fictional and based entirely off the sports movie, A League of Their Own. To learn more about the movie, go here
