[Kazan]

If a player is show-boating, yes. If a player is crowding the plate, yes. But not just because someone is a rookie. I don’t seem to recall Kemp getting plunked by some chicken*** pitcher, just because he was a rookie.

Few rookies have come into the league getting accolades Harper is getting. Hamels just wanted him to realize he is still a rookie with a lot to learn.

This happens a lot. But most pitchers don't admit to doing it so it isn't made a big deal of in the media.

[jjsheridan5]

Hamels just wanted him to realize he is still a rookie with a lot to learn

Then why didn't he school him by striking him out on a nasty breaking pitch, or getting him to reach for a changeup? That would be the right way to handle Harper's reputation. Even brushing him back a few times would do the trick. As I said, the only message Hamels sent is a statement about Hamels.

I agree that this has been blown somewhat out of proportion, but hitting a player for absolutely no reason whatsoever is not old school baseball. It is just classless.