Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell given fine prohibition, 2 weeks

ATLANTA - Brave tongue coach that Roger McDowell was suspended for two weeks pay Sunday by Major League Baseball for inappropriate comments and gestures made toward fans before a match in San Francisco.

The suspension is retroactive to Friday, when McDowell was placed on administrative leave by the Braves. He was also fined an amount undisclosed incident April 23.

McDowell is required to complete training for sensitivity and will apologize directly to the involved fans, Justin Quinn and his family.

Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement Sunday that insensitivity to others "simply cannot and will not be tolerated."

"I understand that Mr McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and I hope that this incident will serve to raise awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others," said Selig. "I congratulate Justin Quinn and his family to bring this issue to our attention so that it will reproduce in the future."

Quinn said it was in the stands with his wife and 9-year two twin daughters before the match April 23 in San Francisco where he noticed McDowell ask three men "Are you guys a couple homo or a trio."

Quinn said McDowell crude sexual gestures with her hips and a bat. Quinn said he shouted, Hey y kids here. ?

According to Quinn, said McDowell kids do not belong to a baseball park, picked up a bat, walking Quinn and asked, "How are your teeth worth?".

McDowell issued an apology Thursday and, according to the release by the Office of the Commissioner, requested the week last to apologize directly to the Quinn and his family. The apology was delayed until that investigation has been completed.

“

I understand that Mr McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and I hope that this incident will serve to raise awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others.

"-Commissioner Bud Selig MLB"

"I understand the decision made today by the Commissioner," McDowell said in a statement Sunday. "I'm embarrassed by my actions and I intend to give a personal apology to Mr. Quinn and his family." I would like to offer a sincere and public apology to the fans of San Francisco, the Organization of the Braves in Atlanta, my family and the major League Baseball. ?

Brave President John Schuerholz, stated that the team supports the decision of the Selig.

"We were clearly disappointed in the comments and actions of Roger and the Organization of Braves of Atlanta does not tolerate such behaviour," said Schuerholz.

"The Organization Braves of Atlanta and Roger McDowell regret deeply that this incident occurred and even once my apologies to all involved, including Mr Quinn and his family and the San Francisco Giants and their fans."

The release by the Office of the Commissioner said that Quinn and his family will be invited to a match at giant home as guests of the major League Baseball. Also, the baseball will be "soft" to education programs that promote tolerance and sensitivity.

In a statement released by his lawyer, Gloria Allred, Quinn applauded the discipline imposed on McDowell.

"I am pleased to see discipline imposing of major League Baseball on coach McDowell for his actions," said Quinn. "I love baseball dearly and my family and I are now eager to return to the ballpark for another game."

"" Allred, said discipline "shows that the major League Baseball believes that behaviour threatening the coaches or any other person employed in a game in major league and homophobic conduct sexually obscene insults is not tolerated."

Minor League pitching Coordinator Dave Wallace is completed for McDowell.

NBA playoffs in 2011: MRI reveals hamstring strain for Atlanta Hawks Kirk Hinrich

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks are preparing to be without injured playmaker Kirk Hinrich when their series of second round of the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls starts Monday.

Hinrich underwent a test of MRI Friday on his right leg, which revealed a significant strain of his right thigh. Hinrich is considered doubtful for 1 game in Chicago. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the victory of clinching the series Thursday against Orlando when he landed awkwardly on a drive in the basket.

Hinrich has not returned to the game and was in a wheelchair as players left Philips Arena Thursday night. Hawks coach Larry Drew said Friday that Hinrich was optimistic when the team is gathered for meetings, but Drew is inevitable if focused on the defensive guard would be ready for the match on Monday.

"I saw him when he left the building and its spirits were really good, but it was limp," said Drew. "And this was not a good sign."

The Hawks were Hinrich account to play a crucial role against Chicago, which won two of the three meetings during the regular season between the teams. Hinrich has entrusted the defensive task to try to contain Derrick Rose.

If it is unable to play - or is limited by the injury - Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Damien Wilkins and Jeff Teague said Drew all could devote time to the Rose.

"It certainly change things," said Drew. "He is our leader." If all goes well, he will be able to go. But if it is not the case, we need to make an adjustment. Not knowing truly if Kirk can go or if it cannot go, if he can play some or may not play at all, many of which will change things. ?

Players said Hawks that Hinrich will be useful in the series any how it contributes to the Court in the first few games. Hinrich spent his first seven seasons with the Bulls before last summer to the Washington Wizards, who dealt him to the Hawks in February, he was transferred.

Hinrich averaged 13 points, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals over eight seasons and is considered one of the top defensive point for the League. Even with a healthy Hinrich, the Hawks expect to have their hands full with Rose, top candidate MVP of the League registered 27.3 points and 6.2 assists in series of first round of Chicago against the Indiana Pacers.

"It is difficult," said Crawford. "Kirk is the head of our defence." He is the guy who makes stuff happen from the beginning. I hope that it is sufficiently healthy to get there. He knows their system. He knows that their players as well as anyone. It can certainly give us an idea. We certainly will come his brain during timeouts and other things. ?

Braves of Atlanta place Launcher coach Roger McDowell on "administrative leave".

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves placed Launcher coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave Friday then that they investigate allegations he comments homophobic and crude gestures to fans before a match in San Francisco last weekend.

McDowell is also accused of using a baseball bat to threaten a fan who oppose his actions.

Analgesics former major league apologized in a statement, but the team prohibited entry for bench in a series of three games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

General Manager Frank Wren said he hoped that the inquiry wrapped by the end of the weekend and added that any punishment would be coordinated with the major League Baseball.

Suspension of de facto McDowell came hours after the announcement of the team, he was seeking the arrest Thursday of starting pitcher Derek Lowe charges drunk driving, a double dose of difficulty for a team that has always prided itself to avoid off-field incidents.

Wren addressed this issue at a meeting of team closed Friday, shortly before the Braves went to the stick practice.

"We have a reputation for a long time in this community in major League Baseball that we are very proud of", Wren said. "Unfortunately, errors were committed, and we will deal with them at the appropriate time after careful consideration of all the facts."

"Everyone", he added, "is very aware of the position that we have and, in the future, being more diligent in ensuring that confirm us this reputation we are so proud of."

While Wren would step to discuss possible sanctions, Manager Fredi Gonzalez said that he is not expected the incident cost McDowell her employment.

"In my opinion, it shouldn't." "It is really", said Gonzalez. "I am sure there are some circles that it will pass, some to apologize, that it should have to go through." But for a person to lose their job, I do not think. I hope that is not. ?

The altercation at AT & T Park in San Francisco was held Saturday last in the pregame batting practice. Justin Quinn was in the stands with his wife and twin daughters of 9 years old when he noticed McDowell harass the three men and asking, "Are you guys a couple homo or a trio."

After rough coach sexual gestures with her hips and a bat, Quinn said he shouted, "Hey, you kids here.". According to Quinn, said McDowell kids do not belong to a baseball park, picked up a bat, walking Quinn and asked, "How are your teeth worth?".

Quinn said that he felt threatened and that he was not sure if McDowell had intended to hit him.

"My children are in panic mode... they are as striking on me," Quinn said Wednesday at a press conference in the Office of the prominent Los Angeles Attorney Gloria Allred. "" "". I want to talk about him, trying to calm down and children shout. ?

Some parents who were in the stands with their children began to boo at McDowell and are dropped to retrieve their children. Quinn said that finally distributed McDowell.

"I am deeply sorry that I have answered the fans heckling in San Francisco," McDowell said in a statement, the audience only comment on this issue. "I am sorry for all of my actions."

Allred, said Friday that she was "very pleased" by the action of the Braves, adding that she spoke with the Commissioner of baseball Bud Selig on the incident earlier in the day.

"I was contacted by other fans who claim that they have witnessed the incidents in question and that declare that they corroborate the conduct that support us," Allred said in an e-mail. "We offer all relevant evidence to the Commissioner for his investigation." We appreciate the fact that the Commissioner said to me that the conduct alleged, if verified, would be totally unacceptable and that appropriate measures will be taken at the end of the investigation. We welcome the results. ?

Selig already called the allegations "very troubling" and said that he would await the results of the investigation of the team.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance against defamation called the Braves and the major League Baseball to take "real disciplinary and only send the message that homophobic insults have no place in sports."

"Professional sports events should be an environment that can take advantage of all the fans and families, not a place where children are exposed to threats of violence and discriminatory language,", said the President of the alliance, Jarrett Barrios.

League of brave tongue Coordinator, Dave Wallace, will take over McDowell during the investigation.

McDowell was an analgesic star with the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, plays a key role on the club in the world-winning series of New York in 1986. He was coach of Atlanta pitcher since 2005, earning praise for his work in the development of young hurler Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens.

"It is the most compatible guy that I've ever been around," said Gonzalez. "Strong, solid, strong person."