Quote:
Originally Posted by Nasty_Boy
Tell Albert to back off the plate... If you are going to have your hands out over the plate, you've got to expect to get hit when pitchers are trying to get inside. It's part of the risk reward you except as a hitter. If you're going to crowd the plate then you better plan on a ball getting a piece of you from time to time... Bonds was over the plate and wore body armour, Bagwell was hit many times in the hands due to were he stood in the box. I don't believe the Brewers were throwing at him... But as an opposing manager, if your choices are throwing inside to keep Albert in the park and possibly hitting him or throwing out over the plate and letting him get his arms extended... Well I know what I'm telling my pitchers.
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Agreed.
And I think Larussa knows all of this. His whole intent in complaining, and in over-retaliating, is that he is trying to make opposing managers, pitchers, and catchers think twice about pitching Albert inside. In essence, he is saying 'If you pitch Albert inside, we will hurt your players.' This kind of thug-like behavior needs to be stopped. Larussa won't change, and opponenets should take this as an admission that pitching Albert hard inside is EXACTLY what should be done every time.