Boston Red Sox center fielder CoCo Crisp incurred the wrath of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 4, 2008.

In the sixth inning, Jason Barlett, shortstop for the Rays, dared to put his entire knee in front of second base while attempting to catch Crisp who was in the act of stealing. According to Crisp, this caused him to jam his thumb and was a dirty play.

So when Crisp was on base again in the 8th, he again attempted to steal second. This time, it was Akinori Iwamura who covered the bag, but that didn't make any difference to Crisp, who went in with his spikes high, obviously with intent to injure.

Crisp defended his actions thusly: "But if you're going to do something like that, I don't care what the situation is, take your own lickin'."

On June 5, Crisp was expecting to get hit by a pitched ball, and indeed he was hit by Rays pitcher Shields in the second inning (but on the leg, it must be pointed out). (Since Crisp is an outfielder, there was no chance of the Rays' infielders getting their own back with a similar play against Crisp.)

Crisp charged the mound, evaded a punch thrown by Shields, and then the two men grappled until catcher Dioner Navarro brought him down. A few more punches were thrown until order was restored.

Crisp, Shields and Jonny Gomes were ejected, and the game continued with the former Tampa Bay Devil Rays the losers at 7-1.

However, days later the suspensions were handed out.

Three Red Sox were suspended:
CoCo Crisp (seven games)
pitcher Jon Lester (five) [interestingly, Lester did not take part in the brawl!]
Sean Casey (three).

Five Rays were penalized:
James Shields (six)
DH-outfielder Jonny Gomes (five)
pitcher Edwin Jackson (five)
outfielder Carl Crawford (four)
second baseman Akinori Iwamura (three)

All eight players also were fined undisclosed amounts.

Whether Lester deserved to be suspended is a matter for debate (in the fifth inning, he hit a player with a pitch - a curve ball - and was not thrown out of the game), but the interesting thing about all these suspensions is that they are going to be "staggered."

In other words, in order not to hurt the team, in particular the Rays, the position players will not have to miss games all at the same time, but rather one after the other.

However, why shouldn't the team be punished as a whole? Perhaps that might make individual players less willing to participate in brawls that might result in career-ending injuries, either for themselves or other players.

And of course, CoCo Crisp is appealing his suspension. (But then, so are the others.)