Red Sox pitcher was ejected, received ‘big’ fine for standoff after anthem (2024)

Update: Both players were notified that they will be issued warnings, not fines, WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported. Everyone who is ejected receives a fine but the players’ association got it reduced to a warning.

PHILADELPHIA — Red Sox’s Kutter Crawford and Phillies’ Matt Strahm took part in an intense standoff right after the national anthem before Saturday’s game at Citizens Bank Park.

The two are friends as Strahm pitched for the Red Sox last season.

“(The umpire) gave them a warning and they stayed there and they got thrown out of the game,” manager Alex Cora said Sunday morning. “Both of them.”

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All players and coaches are fined when they receive an ejection.

“If you get thrown out and you’re on the IL, you get crushed,” Cora said.

Yes, fines are much heavier for players who are on the IL. Crawford was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday because of a left hamstring strain.

“It’s a big one because you’re on the IL,” Cora said. “I know there’s a guy that went to the same school as him that’s probably going to take care of that.”

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Cora is referring to Crawford’s fellow Florida Gulf Coast alum Chris Sale, who obviously makes significantly more money than Crawford who is on a pre-arbitration contract.

Strahm is on Philadelphia’s active roster. But he was just moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen and was considered unavailable for Saturday’s game.

“(The Phillies) played short,” Cora said. “Strahmy was on the roster. I don’t know if he was in the bullpen yesterday but they were one man short.”