Defending Jose Guillen

Distinguished Senators links to a profile of our shiny new outfield acquisition, the troubled Jose Guillen.

Ryan takes him to task for something he said:

Our rightfielder discusses the incident that got him suspended from Los Angeles of Anaheim last year:
He thought I threw my helmet at him, but that's where the batboy sits and it didn't even come close (to Scioscia).
Oh, it was all just a big misunderstanding! He didn't throw his helmet at the manager, he threw it at the batboy! Don't worry, Jose. All is forgiven. Prick.

I saw the same criticism at Baseball Primer too. I think it's a misreading.

The helmet throwing happened because Guillen, who was just hit by a pitch, was removed for a pinch-runner. Guillen got angry, and tossed his helmet in the direction of Scioscia. It's entirely possible, especially given the tenses used, if not probably, that the bat boy was out doing bat-related things at the time. He didn't say he threw it at the batboy. Just towards the area where he would have been sitting had he not been doing his job.

At least I'm hoping that that's what happens. I can't imagine Guillen trying to elicit sympathy by saying he was throwing it at a kid, not a manager. I would hope! But given his track record, ya never know!