Maybe we should just have the game played by robots who are programmed by nerds living in their mothers basement. Then none of this "devastating" stuff would ever happen.

At this point, I think we can legitimately argue that Mary Tyler Moore's throwing her hat in the air is devastating as well. I mean, what the heck, man? How dare someone be happy, especially those rotten baseball players getting excited about succeeding at a task they're being paid hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars to do in front of 40,000 people in the stadium and millions of television and Internet viewers, not to mention the media attention.

Screw these humans, man. I want my favorite players to be completely unaffected by the ebb and flow of the game. I want him to be as apathetic as possible. The only time a player should have his fist aimed at the heavens is when he's trying to punch God in the nuts.

Devastating is a dumb word, but it was spoken by a dumb man, so whatever. But these jackass relievers do benefit from a huge double standard.

Blowtel falls into the same over the top category as Rodriguez, Chamberlain, and Valverde.

I like to see some emotion but the above mentioned take it to the extreme and it's bush.

I happened to see the game live. Rodriguez was a bit much; he gestured and pointed and convulsed and so on. I thought he was on Dance Fever or something. It was pretty bush, especially seeing as he had pretty much pitched his team into the jam to start with (against a rather athetic offensive White Sox team).

I know I sound a thousand years old, but I kinda like when a guy does his job and strides confidently off the field, that sort of thing.

The Thurl Ravenscroft Acti-Voice Society?

You're a mean one, Mister Repoz.

They would've been fine if he'd celebrated on the field with a blowup doll. What a bunch of babies. If Crede hadn't fouled off a pitch before he struck out, I would guarantee we would be hearing about how the umps jobbed the Sox once again, since Hawk and DJ were complaining about the called strike two on the check swing. I loved how when he finally struck out, there was just SILENCE. Very professional, guys.

It was pretty bush, especially seeing as he had pretty much pitched his team into the jam to start with (against a rather athetic offensive White Sox team).

To me, that sounds like more of a reason to celebrate than simply having a clean 1-2-3 inning. They were on the brink of blowing the game, but narrowly averted it. Getting out of that jam is more likely to spark natural emotion than just setting down the side in order.

Frankie celebrates most demonstratively precisely when he almost blows the game. He's releasing anger at himself plus relief, then he thanks God, and hugs Mike Napoli. He never, ever directs it to an opposing player or dugout.

Jenks never gets excited after a save? Deal.

waaaaaa waaaaaaa waaaaaaaa waaaaa stop showing us up waaaaaa waaaaaa waaaaaa where's my bottle waaaaa waaaa

Frankie celebrates most demonstratively precisely when he almost blows the game. He's releasing anger at himself plus relief, then he thanks God, and hugs Mike Napoli. He never, ever directs it to an opposing player or dugout.

Agree, there are some differences here between Chamberlain's antics and KRod's, who I've never seen celebrate while a game was still in progress. I personally have no problem with these guys blowing off steam immediately at the end of a game, as long as they aren't getting in the other team's / players' faces.

K-Rod did the same thing in Toronto last week.

Except he did it after walking the bases loaded and very nearly blowing the game. I'm all for spontaneous expolosions of emotion. But it seems pretty artificial if you do the same thing in all situations.

I realize this is probably just sour grapes, but I don't think he shouldn't be allowed to do his antics, I just think he looks like an idiot when he does it

But these jackass relievers do benefit from a huge double standard.

I have to agree with this. There are plenty of people who use the loaded word "admire" to describe Barry Bonds (or anyone else) watching the flight of a home run ball but think this is just part of the game. I'm rather agnostic on whether it is or it isn't, but if one kind of celebrating is wrong, they all are.

I think it's awesome and it's my team that lost. If you don't like the other team to be happy, then beat them. Otherwise, shut up.

I don't think he shouldn't be allowed to do his antics

Shouldn't be allowed? What the hell sort of rule would you propose? A 15 yard penalty for excessive celebration? I'd probably prefer that he didn't do it, but it's not a big deal. It certainly shouldn't be outlawed.

As Matt said, he does it after every save, and it's never directed at the opposing player.

I loved how when he finally struck out, there was just SILENCE. Very professional, guys.

There's nothing better than watching those two "call" a home run for the opposing team.

I know I sound a thousand years old, but I kinda like when a guy does his job and strides confidently off the field, that sort of thing

Yeah, I do too. I also like the self-deprecating reaction: Tug McGraw's flutter of the glove over his heart, or Orel Hershiser's little chuckle and shake of the head after he struck out Dave Parker in the last game of the '88 World Series.

Remember when Jim Thome hit his 500th to beat the Angels, then celebrated all around the bases?

What a jerk.

/sarcasm

Yeah, I do too. I also like the self-deprecating reaction: Tug McGraw's flutter of the glove over his heart, or Orel Hershiser's little chuckle and shake of the head after he struck out Dave Parker in the last game of the '88 World Series.

I think that's the coolest kind of celebration. I also like when a guy delivers a big hit over the middle and walks away from it nonchalantly.

When K-Rod did it two days ago, it either looked like 1) he was pumped that he ruined the shutout, or 2) was unbelievably ecstatic that he actually held a lead. I mean, I'd celebrate like that too, but that's because my fastball is 65 m.p.h.

(I'm also not a big fan of somebody pointing skyward and kissing a cross necklace after a double, as that implies he needed intervention.)

Nah, the coolest kind of celebration is still the One Flap Down.

Shouldn't be allowed? What the hell sort of rule would you propose?"

No, he's saying that it should be allowed, but that K-Rod looks stupid when he does it.

(I'm also not a big fan of somebody pointing skyward and kissing a cross necklace after a double, as that implies he needed intervention.)"

I don't like "Jesus made me do it!" celebrations either. It implies thad God is fixing ballgames.

I'm okay with celebrating a big hit or out, to a point. I don't want baseball to turn into the NFL, where every tackle is cause for dancing. And I hate celebrations that are less "celebrating" and more "showing up the other guy." If a celebration doesn't do either of those things, I'm fine with it.

No, he's saying that it should be allowed, but that K-Rod looks stupid when he does it.

That kind of thing always looks more stupid when it's being done by someone on the other team. Fans get way too worked up about this stuff.

Who cares about how guys celebrate when the game is over? If someone pulling some #### in the middle of the game, or taunting their opponents at any point, that's one thing, but as long as there's a postgame celebration directed at teammates or God, who cares? Well, Brian Anderson, I guess.

"but I don't think he shouldn't be allowed to do his antics"


Is that even legal? Well, stopping him from emoting?

I don't like "Jesus made me do it!" celebrations either. It implies thad God is fixing ballgames.

What makes you think he isn't? I mean look at the Cubs?

No, he's saying that it should be allowed

My bad, I misread that.

Jenks never gets excited after a save?

No. He usually just has a few drinks.

But seriously, what Frankie did was uncalled for. If the White Sox had beat the Angels, you wouldn't have had Bobby Jenks pumping his fist in cele... oh wait

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/photo;_ylt=AioRVqeGV6AWp719PqAWdfGFCLcF?slug=31cbafb4c362469ea8160d95cd0de368.white_sox_angels_baseball_ans110&prov=ap

Oh yeah? Well, I approve of K-Rod.

What makes you think he isn't? I mean look at the Cubs?

Even the Cubs cannot stop Nate McLouth for long... that dude is the awesomest.


/NATE MCLOUTH HIJACK

Sing Along:

DON'T YOU WISH YOUR CLOSER WAS HOT LIKE ME?

Sorry, but in a game against the Twins recently I saw Nick
Swisher explode in a protracted screaming, hand-clapping
siezure of retarded joy after hitting a one-out double in the
fourth inning. The score was 0-0, there was no one on, the next two hitters grounded
out.

What makes you think he isn't?

That he doesn't exist?
(that oughtta be good for a few 1000 posts.)

I'm pretty much fed up with people who complain about players' antics. STFU.