Vikings’ Baker Fined $10,000 for Late Tackle

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings defensive end Al Baker said he will appeal a $10,000 fine by the National Football League for a late hit on Chicago quarterback Mike Tomczak in the last game of the regular season.

Baker said Monday that he’s asked for a hearing before NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.

“I’m really shocked and I’m pretty disappointed in the way it was handled because it wasn’t intentional,” said Baker, who has lost $30,000 in fines and salary this season. “If he (Rozelle) reviewed the film, he could see it wasn’t flagrant. Maybe he was trying to make an example out of me. And I frown on that.”

Earlier, Rozelle suspended Baker for one game without pay for punching Philadelphia Eagles tackle Ron Heller in the eye during a game Sept. 25. That suspension cost Baker a week’s pay, or about $20,000.