Clemens fined for bat hurl

The Clemens and Piazza row almost boiled over

New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens has been fined $50,000 (£34,355) for throwing a broken bat at the Mets' Mike Piazza in the second game of the World Series.

The veteran pitcher was ordered to cough up for "inappropriate behaviour".

But he escaped suspension after throwing the jagged barrel of Piazza's bat at him as he made his way towards first base.

The punishment follows a two-day examination of events surrounding the incident from Sunday's second game of the World Series by Major League executive Frank Robinson.

"It was a reckless type of action on his part," said Robinson

"If we felt there was intent it would have been a much more severe penalty."

If we felt there was intent it would have been a much more severe penalty

  Major League executive Frank Robinson

During the game, umpires had determined that Clemens had not deliberately thrown the bat at Piazza.

The last time Clemens faced Piazza on the mound he hit the Mets catcher in the head with a pitch.

The incident that led to Clemens' fine threatened to boil over as Piazza squared up to the pitcher and both dugouts spilled out onto the field.

Umpires stepped in to prevent any violence but the bad blood between the two future Hall of Famers was evident.

The fine came after Piazza called on Major League Baseball officials to probe the flashpoint.

After the match, won 6-5 by the Yankees, Clemens claimed he thought the large splinter was the ball.

Largest fine

The fine equalled the largest fine levied by the Major League for an incident not involving drugs.

A similar penalty was imposed on Albert Belle for a profane tirade at a reporter during the 1995 World Series.

"That's a very large fine," said Yankee slugger Jose Canseco.

"It makes the issue bigger really. Now the issue will just keep going."

In a prepared statement, Clemens said he would wait until after the World Series ends before he considers appealing the penalty. The deadline for such an appeal is next Tuesday.

"I want to stay focused on the task at hand, helping my team win the World Series," he said.

Steve Phillips, general manager of the Mets, said the punishment was proper.

"I really didn't expect more than that and I am satisfied with that," said Phillips.