Norm Chortleton (05-28-2013),TSJ55 (05-28-2013)
When you try to show up a pitcher don't be surprised when he drills you. It has been that way for a very long time, and actually has lessened recently with so many players on opposing teams being friends with one another. It used to be the way the game was played, and for some still is.
I don't agree with headhunting (if that is what Chapman was indeed doing), yet I knew as soon as Swisher stared down Chapman he was going to get the next one nice and tight. I also knew DeJesus was going to get buzzed by Cueto. It was clear Cueto was tired of his constant delays in the batting box in DeJesus's first at bat.
There are still managers that believe in policing the game within itself, and Dusty is one of them.
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
The thing I'm trying to figure out is why everyone is so outraged because of Chapman's velocity. Any ML pitcher with a 90+ fastball aimed at someone's head is going to do a great deal of damage. He has every right to come up and in as any other pitcher. He doesn't get to avoid the inside of the plate because he might get too tight and hurt someone.
BTW, I do not think Chapman was throwing at his head. I don't know if he was wanting to come inside, which he is allowed to do and it sailed, but with his control always pitch by pitch, it is hard for me to tell. I would guess if he aimed at his head, it probably would have been down the middle of the plate. It is just as hard for anyone claiming to know what he was trying or not trying to do to support their argument.
Also, Dusty had his back in the postgame and made light of it, which I tend to agree with his lighthearted reasoning.
"Rounding 3rd and heading for home, good night everybody"
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
Notice I specified "up and in," which is quite a bit different than "inside of the plate," wouldn't you say? That is exactly what the entire argument is about, especially since it is anyone's guess with the actual intent. It isn't like the only two options are "throwing at head" and "not throwing at head."
Feel free to address what I actually was saying rather than attempting to be arrogantly dismissive.
"Rounding 3rd and heading for home, good night everybody"
He can throw anywhere he wants legitimately as long as it's not at a guy. If your definition of "up and in" is at a guys head (the actual argument being had), then no he can't throw there. Feel free to clarify your meaning instead of spouting metacommentary. Are you addressing the actual argument or are you adding another dimension?
Last edited by jojo; 05-28-2013 at 10:56 AM.
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
Does the obvious need stated that throwing high doesn't mean someone is going at the head? You can be aiming for the upper torso and accomplish a similar psychological reaction from the hitter to brush someone back... which is, after all, the point of a brushback pitch.
It's pretty narrow to assume that everytime someone is perceived to be intentionally throwing up and in, they're head-hunting.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
BluegrassRedleg (05-30-2013)
Rounding third and heading for home...
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
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