Themen über das Spiel! » next season But Im calm with it.

NEW YORK -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi insists it will be "open season" on Alex Rodriguez if Major League Baseball fails to suspend Bostons Ryan Dempster for hitting the star slugger with a pitch. "That baseball is a weapon. Its not a tennis ball. ... Its a weapon, and it can do a lot of damage to someones life," Girardi said Tuesday before the Yankees played a doubleheader against Toronto. "And thats why I was so upset about it. You can express your opinion and be upset with someone, but you just cant start throwing baseballs at people. I mean, its scary." Dempster threw one pitch behind A-Rods knees and two more inside in the second inning at Fenway Park on Sunday. Then his 3-0 pitch struck Rodriguezs left elbow pad and ricocheted off his back. Girardi sprinted onto the field, screaming at plate umpire Brian ONora for not ejecting the pitcher. Girardi was tossed as the benches and bullpens emptied, and Rodriguez homered off Dempster to spark a sixth-inning rally that lifted New York to a 9-6 win. Girardi said his profane rant probably was the angriest hes been on a ballfield. Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games on Aug. 5 for violating baseballs drug and labour agreements but is playing while he appeals. Red Sox pitcher John Lackey criticized the rules last week for allowing A-Rod to play. MLB is expected to decide Tuesday or Wednesday on any discipline. Girardi said if Dempster isnt punished, it makes Rodriguez "open season for people, and that cant happen. Its not fair. If a player is suspended for throwing at someone, theyre going to get their appeal. Are we just going to throw that out, too?" Dempster maintained he was just pitching inside and wasnt trying to hit Rodriguez. New York didnt retaliate Sunday. Girardi wouldnt say whether there is a need to respond when the teams next meet, at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 5. Girardi said "protecting your own" in baseball has gone on for "for a long time. And unfortunately youre part of those situations sometimes, but thats part of the game." The manager also discussed the matter with his 6-year-old son, Dante. "Part of pitching is pitching inside, thats all part of it," he recalled saying. "But I dont ever want you to hit anyone on purpose." Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says hes 99 per cent sure of staying at Chelsea following reports of interest from Real Madrid. Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague reported on Wednesday that La Liga giants Real would move for Courtois if they failed to capture Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea this summer.However, talking to Sky Sports News HQ ahead of Belgiums weekend pre-Euro 2016 friendly against Switzerland, Courtois played down the prospect of any Stamford Bridge exit, revealing he already had discussions with Chelseas new boss Antonio Conte. Yes, Ive spoken to him, Courtois said. We had a good chat.Asked if he felt it was a big compliment to be associated with one of Europes top heavyweights, he added: Of course. There are rumours from the press always popping up. Courtois is desperate to bounce back at Chelsea next season But Im calm with it. My season has not been the very best like last year, when when we won the Premier League. But still, Im very confident in myself that I willl have a good Euros and another good season at Chelsea.ddddddddddddCourtois enjoyed three successful seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and the thought of returning to Spain is an attractive one, but the 24-year-old Belgian is desperate to improve with his current club. Euro 2016 squad Belgium omit Nacer Chadli and Kevin Mirallas for France I had a wonderful time in Spain and I have a Spanish girlfriend, so one day I would like to go back, he said. But that can be well after my career. With injuries, my season has been different with Chelsea and we didnt have the best season. For myself, there were a few goals when I could have done better, but I still made good saves.Some people forget quickly about your qualities, but Im confident I will have a good Euros with Belgium. Also See: Courtois is Reals plan B Conte says Chelsea is on back-burner Transfer Centre Latest transfer news ' ' '