Or they want to get their a$$ kicked.
Posted on 05/09/2012 9:53:05 AM PDT by TBP
If there's anyone who should be familiar with the kind of throwback, old-school baseball Cole Hamels discussed after intentionally hitting Nationals rookie Bryce Harper with a pitch Sunday night, it's Tigers manager Jim Leyland.
Leyland, a baseball lifer, has managed in 3,203 games since 1986 -- when Hamels was just 3. But even Leyland's joining the chorus of critics displeased by Hamels' actions.
During his regular pregame radio show Monday night, he characterized Hamels' five-game suspension as being "way too light," and, according to MLB.com, suggested 15 games would have been more appropriate.
(Excerpt) Read more at csnphilly.com ...
I agree. Against good HRod, hitters are helpless. I just don’t understand why he throws any breaking stuff with less than two strikes (or with the tying run on base). If they can’t hit 100+, throw 100+ until they can. Some of that has to be on Ramos/Flores, as well.
It still works in the AL — though not quite as well. The DH is a travesty.
Still, in the AL, you hit their guy — they hit yours ... and they’ll probably aim for your best player. I suspect Miguel Cabrera would let Hamels hear about it if he took a fastball to the ribs because Hamels was unjustifiably headhunting. The punishment is once-removed ... but its still there.
SnakeDoc
Saw the replay just once at the health club without sound, so I couldn’t hear the ball strike Harper. Also didn’t recall seeing the pitch-tracker where the speed is indicated. Might not have been in the replay frame.
The ball did seem to have some ‘movement’ which was why I mistook it for NOT being a fastball.
Admitting to intentionally hitting a batter with a 94 mph fastball is tacitly admitting “intent to injure.” I would think that the suspension is ‘light’ given that set of circumstances.
There are a few callers in Philly (WIP sportstalk) who are attempting to tie Hamels’ behavior to his contract negotiations. They seem to think that he’s somehow trying to get traded/released. I find that far-fetched.
If the pitcher indicates that they did it on purpose, yes they will suspend every time.
Or they want to get their a$$ kicked.
I agree with Leyland simply because it is unequal punishment compared to a 5-game suspension to a position player.
Hamels just misses out on the post-game beers with his buddies in the clubhouse for a few days.
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Agree, plus, there’s this aspect to the particular offense:
This wasn’t just a little chin-music “message pitch” such as by blooping the ball *behind* the batter. This was a NINETY-M.P.H. FASTBALL aimed right at an opponent.
Cheap pu**y tactics. At least Hamels didn’t lie about it, but he needs to lose five STARTS, not just five “games.”
Yes, and they got hit in return. End of incident.
I agree.
Get real. The brushback pitch, chin-music, close shave, purpose pitch has been a part of baseball since the 1800’s. It’s used for intimidation, retaliation and to send a message.
This World Class Douchebag Harper punk came up to the bigs with a cocky-attitude and a big mouth. He blew a kiss at a minor league pitcher that he hit a homerun off of. No class and ZERO respect for the game.
I support Cole Hammels. This Harper punk would be picking up his teeth if he had to face Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson or Sal “The Barber” Maglie. He disrespects the game and needs to learn a lesson. The game is bigger than him and he needs to treat it - and the competitors on the field - with much more respect.
This pansy-ass PC wimpy crap sickens me. Drysdale knocked Mays down with chin music in every game he faced him in. Juan Marichal of the Giants routinely sent Dodgers batters to the deck to protect their coconuts. That’s old-school baseball. You didn’t see cocky punks hot-dogging it and blowing kisses to the pitchers then.
I hope Harper gets a tough first tour of the big leagues with plenty of baseballs to the ribs and fastballs aimed at his gigantic helmeted ego.
Wait until the little pussy has to play in Philly. Must see TV.
Probably a two-seamer. They aren't quite as fast as four-seam fastballs, but they move more.
Pretty much agree. Throwing two in the dirt just lets the batter know you are going to get the fastball next. But if he has the touch for it, it is a great first pitch, runners on or not.
Freegards
Wrong. He has done nothing but hustle, play hard, and play well. Maybe that's what Hamels objected to.
I know where many are coming from, I think moving a rookie’s feet around is one thing. Maybe he missed his location, and meant to throw lower. Still, most of the time you see that it’s offspeed change up junk balls, just in case you miss WAAYY up. The danger comes from a rookie or pitcher used to the AL ducking down into balls or throwing their fists up and breaking fingers or faces.
I know many are talking Dodgers for Hamels, I think he is from out there somewhere. Like I said, I actually don’t mind that he admitted it, kind of refreshing. I just don’t think there was a reason for it in the first place with Harper.
Freegards
I know where many are coming from, I think moving a rookie’s feet around is one thing. Maybe he missed his location, and meant to throw lower. Still, most of the time you see that it’s offspeed change up junk balls, just in case you miss WAAYY up. The danger comes from a rookie or pitcher used to the AL ducking down into balls or throwing their fists up and breaking fingers or faces.
I know many are talking Dodgers for Hamels, I think he is from out there somewhere. Like I said, I actually don’t mind that he admitted it, kind of refreshing. I just don’t think there was a reason for it in the first place with Harper.
Freegards
I guess you’ve never seen the interviews and the video of Harper blowing the kiss at the pitcher after taking him deep. His punk-ass reputation is well earned and well established. He was running his mouth in interviews all Spring.
Don’t try to make the little weasel look like Little Lord Fauntleroy. Obviously, somebody gave him a good talking to sometime in the last few weeks. But, the good behavior will not erase the reputation of an arrogant ass over-night.
Hamels message was clear - DO NOT PULL THAT CRAP HERE!
I support it.
I was a fan of Harper until he blew the kiss. That told me all I need to know about this punk.
Are you saying it is A-OK with “a reason” to hit a player intentionally?
Players are thrown at intentionally ALL THE TIME. In some cases pitches are thrown OVER the head and BEHIND players. That can only be done intentionally.
Hamels is in the REAL League. He will bat over 100 times. He made his bed, he will sleep in it.
BTW, Hamels plays with Chase Utley who has been hit by more pitches year in and out than anyone. He had a bone broken in his hand by a pitch inside.
No, he wasn't. He's been quite the professional.
The Phillies are angry becaue the Nationals are daring to win what they view as their division. To make it worse, those arrogant, stupid Nationals fans are coming out to support their local team, making it harder for the Phillies fans to invade the park. Just who do these Washington people think they are, anyway?
Well, we'll take care of that. We'll try to take down their new star. Because we're classier than they are.
Really? It affected David Wright’s career for a few years, and others have pointed out more serious problems. But, with that said, Hamels did NOT throw at his head, so for me, that was the mitigating circumstance in his favor.
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