Knight Says He Regrets Outburst

A day after he threw a base and was accused of bumping an umpire, Cincinnati Red Mnager Ray Knight had one regret.

“The regret is after I got in and said, ‘That probably looked real stupid. That’s not you. You’re not trying to show anybody up,’ ” Knight said Sunday. “It was just a matter of a lot of little things building up.”

The Reds are off to their worst start in 47 years. Despite a 5-0 victory Sunday over San Diego, they are 13-28, the worst record in the major leagues.

Knight could find out today how much his dirt-kicking, base-flinging outburst will cost. He will receive an automatic fine for being ejected by umpire Jerry Layne, and National League President Len Coleman could increase the penalty based upon Knight’s actions.

Knight said that during their argument is Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the Padres, Layne warned him to stop bumping and spitting. Knight said he did not purposely spit or bump the umpire.

Layne declined to talk about the run-in because Coleman had not yet received his report. He expected Coleman to read it today.

“It’s customary practice that an umpire shouldn’t comment until his boss knows what’s going on,” Layne said.

Saturday, Knight was coaching third base--his practice the last three days--when Layne called Deion Sanders out as he tried to advance to third. Knight argued for several minutes, got ejected, then kicked dirt on third base.

Finally, he uprooted the base and slammed it down.

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Chicago Cub right-hander Amaury Telemaco was optioned to triple-A Iowa. Catcher Tyler Houston, who was on the disabled list because of a right wrist contusion, was activated and will join the team today.