New York, NY (Sports Network) - San Francisco Giants suspended outfielder
Melky Cabrera has been removed from consideration for the National League
batting title.
CSNBayArea.com reported that Cabrera's representatives sent a letter to union
officials on Wednesday asking for his name to be removed from consideration
for the title, leading to the Players' Association and the MLB working out a
one-time amendment to Rule 10.22(a) on Friday.
The rule permits a player to be recognized as the official winner if extra
hitless at-bats are added to his average and it remains higher than any
qualifying player.
"After giving this matter the consideration it deserves, I have decided that
Major League Baseball will comply with Mr. Cabrera's request," MLB
commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "I respect his gesture as a sign
of his regret and his desire to move forward, and I believe that, under these
circumstances, the outcome is appropriate, particularly for Mr. Cabrera's
peers who are contending for the batting crown."
Cabrera's average would not move from .346, which he was hitting prior to
being suspended 50 games for testing positive for testosterone, as he is just
one at-bat shy of qualifying for the title.
Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen is now the current leader in the NL with a .339
average, followed by the Giants' Buster Posey, who is batting .335.
"I have no wish to win an award that would be tainted. I believe it would be
far better for someone more deserving to win," Cabrera said. "I asked the
Players Association and the league to take the necessary steps to remove my
name from consideration for the National League batting title.
"I am grateful that the Players Association and MLB were able to honor my
request by suspending the rule for this season. I know that changing the rules
mid-season can present problems, and I thank the Players Association and MLB
for finding a way to get this done."
The Sports Network