PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 17 (UPI) -- The general manager of the New York Mets say his club will not be out for revenge when it next meets Los Angeles.
Steve Phillips made the declaration in an interview with MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball in the wake of a brawl last Wednesday when Mets catcher Mike Piazza was hit by Dodgers pitcher Guillermo Mota.
"We've given them full reassurance that we're going there (only) to play baseball," Phillips said. "We've got to get ready for baseball season and we've got to prepare to play and also make sure that we're fully manned."
When the two teams play at Mexico City later this week, Piazza was listed on the Mets' travel list, and Mota was not on the Dodgers. Baseball's disciplinarians hit both players with five-game regular-season suspensions Monday afternoon.
"We just heard the ruling from the commissioner's office and we plan to support Mike in whatever course of action he decides to take," Phillips said.
"Naturally I'm disappointed in the ruling," Piazza said. "I have seven days to weigh my options. I plan to use that time to decide what course of action I will take."
Mets Manager Art Howe said his team has talked about the fight already.
"We had a little chat," said Howe, who, like Piazza, was angry about the incident. "Nothing (is) going to happen, at least not intentionally. I've been in this game too long to dwell on it. It's crazy. A lot of crazy things take place in this game. But I was pretty upset the other night."
Each player has the option of appealing the ruling.
It is the second suspension handed down in less than a week.
On Friday, baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson suspended Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Macias of Montreal, and Florida's Brad Penny for their roles in an on-field incident March 10. Mota and Piazza also were fined for an incident in 2002, and the bad blood boiled over again Wednesday.
Mota hit Piazza in the sixth inning, and the normally reserved Mets catcher charged the mound.
After being restrained, Piazza attempted to enter the Dodgers' locker room, but Mota already had departed the ballpark. Los Angeles officials filed a complaint with the commissioner's office over the incident.
Piazza also was fined $3,000, and Mota $1,500.
