The Jets are not cheering about conditioning coach Sal Alosi sticking his knee out to trip Dolphins punt-coverage player Nolan Carroll, running after being forced out of bounds. Alosi’s talent lies in muscles, bones, and moves. He knew exactly what he was doing, and how to do it. He turned his knee into a lethal weapon against Carroll. Although he became apologetic, it is not enough. Dolphins fans and others are calling for an impression-making penalty against Alosi.
Rangers’ Coach Dave Anderson called for interference September 2010
On Sept. 5, the Rangers were making a comeback. The bases were loaded with two outs in the ninth inning. Guerrero hit a RBI single fielded by the second baseman behind the bag. Young ran from second to third and, rounding the base, tapped hands with the Rangers’ third base coach Dave Anderson. Young stopped and scrambled back to third, beating the throw. Third base umpire Alfonso Marquez ruled interference and called Young out. A protest by Rangers manager Ron Washington was useless. The game was ruled over. The Twins beat the Rangers 6-5.
UCI Coach Greg Bergeron called for interference June 2007
In an exciting ninth inning, UC Irvine tied what had been a lopsided game. UCI third base coach Bergeron held UCI runner Cody Cipriano at third base. Cipriano reached out to touch Coach Bergeron, causing the out. The runner felt he could have made it in and was upset the coach was making him stop. UCI went on to win the game 8-7 in the tenth inning.
Baltimore Orioles Coach Tom Trebelhom called for interference August 2001
The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Devil Rays were battling it out Aug. 2 when Orioles outfielder Brady Anderson ran into third base coach Tom Trebelhorn. Anderson was rounding third base on the way home. Umpire John Hirshbeck called Anderson out because of coaches’ interference.
Coaches’ interference is outlined in rule 7.09 (i) and (j) as occurring when the first or third base coach, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in resuming to or leaving third base or first base. The terms “assist’ and “touch” can be, and are, broadly interpreted. When complaints are made, they generally are made with the understanding there will be no change in the decision. Consequences can be a lost game or a lost opportunity, and the fact, such as in the Rangers’ game, that the information will be on the Internet as a memory for years to come.
Comparison
Assistant Coach Alosi is not guilty of a minor infraction. We expect more of a coach than blatant unsportsmanlike conduct. Games happen where a player takes a spill into the wrong team. The players move out of the way and keep him from injury, if possible. The incident already is a well-watched video on YouTube, in addition to being replayed on the news, ESPN, and home recorders around the world.
Fortunately, the Dolphins won the game, or the anger would be even greater. Apologies are not the answer in a case like this. The Jets are having a tough season. They need leadership, not dissension, and want guidance, not bad examples. In an announcement today, the Jets have suspended Alosi for the season and fined him $25,000, and those Jets with sideline access reminded to act with safety in mind. The League has yet to contact Alosi on his actions.
In my opinion, the additional controversy has already hurt the Jets fans, team, coaching staff, and management. There are three tough games to finish in regular season, demanding a quick refocus on winning tactics, not shenanigans.
