Better To Take High Road After HBPs
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, August 01, 2008 11:11 AM | Comments: 11
Posts
Last night Kyle Kendrick was a bit wild against the Nationals and hit two batters, including Nats’ third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. He left the game with wrist pain.
Now, if ya’ll remember last year, John Lannan threw one in on Chase Utley, knocking his wrist, and taking him out for a month.
Lannan, of course, was on the hill last night, and didn’t throw at anyone. But Jesus Colome threw at Utley, and Utley seemed to growl, before heading to first base.
After the game, these quotes:
Utley: “It’s part of the game. No big deal. The important thing is, we won.”
Manuel: “The catcher set right in behind him. Yeah, he threw at him. No doubt about it.”
The unspoken rule in baseball — no sport has as many unspoken rules — is if a pitcher hits a batter, it’s brushed aside. If he hits a second, retaliation is necessary. That Kendrick knocked Zimmerman out means the Nats had the liberty to hit a comparable player. Utley is the comparable one to Zim (both are foundation players), thus, he got the bruise.
And Charlie said what he said; Jimmy Rollins said “there’s a little more to that.” Hopefully these words don’t come back to bite the Phils the next time they play the Nats. Face it, it’s good the Phils didn’t lash out — they don’t need to fight the meaningless Nationals while getting set for a big stretch run. Take the high road. Hopefully the Nats don’t act like children next time out, either.
Posts: 0 Jamie
A little food for thought, although it may not be realistic…Kris Benson, who won his first game last week after pitching 6 innings and giving up a run, got a no decision last night after allowing 1 run over 7 innings. Hmmm….
Posted: 11:28 AM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 furiousball
I say we beat up Kris Benson instead… Anna too
Posted: 11:44 AM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
dont hold your breath waiting for kris benson
Posted: 11:45 AM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I would beat-it-up with Anna Benson in a heartbeat.. she’s wild
Posted: 11:51 AM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
Pitching inside seems to be a lost art these days. Today’s generation of players overreact (too many brawls) to high and tight “purpose” pitch that keeps batters loose and less aggressive on outside pitches. Generally, pitchers today with control problems are less inclined to pitch inside for fear of on field retaliation. Umpire officials on orders from MLB are enforcing tougher restrictions on pitchers in attempts to eliminate potential brawls. Gone are those fabled days of Sal “The Barber” Maglie, Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, etc who gave a “close shave” or “chin music”. Sorry if I bore anyone here with those thoughts.
Posted: 12:18 PM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I agree completely… look at the RedSox/ Yankees fights. or when Sexson charged the mound earlier this year because a pitch got within 4 feet of his head..
I know that someone of the Mets gets plunked when they play next time, because of the Reyes point.. BUT.. I don’t think they should hit HIM, because you dont want him on the bases. They need to hit Beltran or Wright
Posted: 12:28 PM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 OZ
Well done Tim. Its embarrassing that such “unwritten” rules go on at the PROFESSIONAL level. Grown men for crying out loud.
The high road is the place to be, not always easy, but way better up there…
Unless of course, its Phils ownership. I want to rip off their heads and eat their children. All praise to Allah (name that quote)
Posted: 12:30 PM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
You can’t hit Wright or Beltran for that same reason. They’re good on the basebaths too. Beltran is one of the base runners in baseball. I’d hit Tatis or Delgado.
Posted: 12:34 PM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 B-Money
Mike Tyson
Posted: 12:36 PM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
You do it at a time when there are two outs and you are comfortable with the situation even if that runner scores… I just wouldn’t give Reyes the joy of scoring another run on you.
The real Mike Tyson quote was probably more like, “i wanna wip off their headsthh and eat thhheir childrensth..awwl praisth to allah”
Posted: 12:43 PM on August 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Oh, yeah…she’s a porn star alright. Well, not quite a porn star, but I could get her to be one. :) Geoff, I’m not holding my breath waiting for him, I just thought it was a little “food for thought,” as my post implied. I just found it interesting that he’s finally (appearing at least) coming around, building his arm strength, and could be a September possibility. That at least affords us an opportunity for an “in house” starter should one of the others get hurt, pitch like Eaton, etc. It never hurts to have a back-up plan, you know.
Posted: 12:46 PM on August 1, 2008