I’m sooo tired of pitchers hitting players on purpose. Great lesson to teach youth – if someone is too good, or they don’t show you the respect you think you deserve, you can hit them, possibly ending their career or even killing them. Should have graduated suspensions for this – 1st is 30 games, 2nd – 90, 3rd – season.
Having watched José for years, I know he hits lots of people, at least one every two games or so. The people calling for his head wouldn’t be slightly aware of this though. That said, I sincerely believe his intent was not to drill the guy, but to throw a fast way-inside pitch to scare the daylights out of the guy; he often throws opening pitches to the inside. The evidence against him is the speed of the pitch, but it was not “the fastest pitch he’d thrown all season.” It was his fastest opening pitch. The umpires handled the whole meleé poorly, which made everything a lot worse. As José said, “I didn’t warm up just to throw one pitch,” so I think the villain in this scenario is Don Mattingly, who certainly has that old-school mentality.The most interesting part of the story is how José then went out in his next start and threw one of the 5 best games the league has had all year. Seriously?! Why can’t he throw that well in any of his other starts?!
I am a Braves partisan, and we are still angry. There is no rational argument that Urena had any intent other than to maim Acuna. You can pitch inside with a breaking ball without permanent injury. His triumphant mound behavior after hitting Acuna, coupled with is comments after the game (“let’s move on”) prove intent.To give Marlins fans credit, however, they reacted to Acuna this weekend the same way Braves fans reacted to the late Jose Fernandez – with heartfelt applause at every at bat (Fernandez was good enough hitting that he could have been an every day player.) Acuna seems to be one of those rare creatures (like Trout, Harper, and Judge) who lives up to the hype. Marlins are about a year behind the Braves in their rebuilding, but they will never get there with bush tactics; the game has changed. Hope the Braves try to sign Realmuto – he is maybe the best catcher in baseball.
Baseball is boring. It is now days just a waste of time. Batters just swinging for the fences. Whatever happened to those batters of yesteryear who got singles and doubles, got on base and, mostly winning games without ever hitting a HR?
Urena would like Chicago because of the “drill” culture. Over 2,000 people have been drilled YTD. One of the defendants in the Hadiya Pendleton murder case is alleged to have said: “We just did a drill”.
Where was all the outrage by everyone when Aaron Judge was hit by a pitch and hurt? Hmm? Judge is out for at least a month and poor Acuna was knocked down. Grow a pair, play the game. If you’re outraged at one man getting hit at least have the decency to be outraged at all of them.
gary about 6 years ago
I’m sooo tired of pitchers hitting players on purpose. Great lesson to teach youth – if someone is too good, or they don’t show you the respect you think you deserve, you can hit them, possibly ending their career or even killing them. Should have graduated suspensions for this – 1st is 30 games, 2nd – 90, 3rd – season.
ArmOfTheSportsPress about 6 years ago
Having watched José for years, I know he hits lots of people, at least one every two games or so. The people calling for his head wouldn’t be slightly aware of this though. That said, I sincerely believe his intent was not to drill the guy, but to throw a fast way-inside pitch to scare the daylights out of the guy; he often throws opening pitches to the inside. The evidence against him is the speed of the pitch, but it was not “the fastest pitch he’d thrown all season.” It was his fastest opening pitch. The umpires handled the whole meleé poorly, which made everything a lot worse. As José said, “I didn’t warm up just to throw one pitch,” so I think the villain in this scenario is Don Mattingly, who certainly has that old-school mentality.The most interesting part of the story is how José then went out in his next start and threw one of the 5 best games the league has had all year. Seriously?! Why can’t he throw that well in any of his other starts?!
jbmlaw01 about 6 years ago
I am a Braves partisan, and we are still angry. There is no rational argument that Urena had any intent other than to maim Acuna. You can pitch inside with a breaking ball without permanent injury. His triumphant mound behavior after hitting Acuna, coupled with is comments after the game (“let’s move on”) prove intent.To give Marlins fans credit, however, they reacted to Acuna this weekend the same way Braves fans reacted to the late Jose Fernandez – with heartfelt applause at every at bat (Fernandez was good enough hitting that he could have been an every day player.) Acuna seems to be one of those rare creatures (like Trout, Harper, and Judge) who lives up to the hype. Marlins are about a year behind the Braves in their rebuilding, but they will never get there with bush tactics; the game has changed. Hope the Braves try to sign Realmuto – he is maybe the best catcher in baseball.
CeeJay about 6 years ago
Baseball has to come up with a better way to highlight baseball.
timbob2313 Premium Member about 6 years ago
Baseball is boring. It is now days just a waste of time. Batters just swinging for the fences. Whatever happened to those batters of yesteryear who got singles and doubles, got on base and, mostly winning games without ever hitting a HR?
dadlivonia about 6 years ago
two words, well besides these two words and the follow on 11 words – Sal Maglie
For a Just and Peaceful World about 6 years ago
Urena would like Chicago because of the “drill” culture. Over 2,000 people have been drilled YTD. One of the defendants in the Hadiya Pendleton murder case is alleged to have said: “We just did a drill”.
Diamond Lil about 6 years ago
Where was all the outrage by everyone when Aaron Judge was hit by a pitch and hurt? Hmm? Judge is out for at least a month and poor Acuna was knocked down. Grow a pair, play the game. If you’re outraged at one man getting hit at least have the decency to be outraged at all of them.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 about 6 years ago
Maybe it’s time to let the Batter charge the mound if the pitcher strikes him out. Makes as much sense.