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Saturday, July 26, 2008

Joba Chamerblain adds new buzz to Kevin Youkilis-Sox feud

“Buzz! I’m going through all your private stuff!”

Yankees ace-in-the-making Joba Chamberlain and Boston’s All-Star first baseman have some bad blood in their history and the righthander’s brushback pitch in the seventh inning of Friday night’s game brought it back to a roiling boil. The 2-0 pitch put Youkilis on the deck. He sprang to his feet almost as quickly as he went down and came up screaming. Chamberlain stood on the mound unfazed and up a strike in the count because the ball struck Youkilis’ bat. Home plate umpire Marty Foster got between the two and issued a warning to both benches.

“It was right at my—- head,” Youkilis clearly said to Foster.

“He has great command until Youk gets in there,” Boston manager Terry Francona said of Chamberlain.

...Infuriated players in the Boston dugout, most notably starting pitcher Josh Beckett, shouted at Chamberlain and Foster from the top step.

“Inside? It was at his—- head,” Beckett said. “That wasn’t inside. Inside is the pitches I was throwing to Alex (Rodriguez).”

Repoz Posted: July 26, 2008 at 12:54 PM | 378 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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   201. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 27, 2008 at 05:36 PM (#2876719)
What the hell else do you think I meant?
I don't think you even knew what you meant, because this sort of seems to contradict your other statements in the same post:
Except that the point has been made since time immemorial that if you want to crack a batter's skull, you don't throw at his head, you throw below and behind it---exactly what Hansen did, and not at all what Joba did.
and
Your line of reasoning about Joba's intent is based solely on your reading of his past performance and little else.
and
Again, if he'd wanted to bean Youk he wouldn't have thrown where he did.
So which is it? Was Joba trying to hit Youkilis or not?
Whether or not Joba intended to do it has little to do with what the Red Sox thought his intentions were. I've already said that in their place, I'd have thought the same thing.
In other words, if you were a lot more informed than you actually are, you'd have thought the same thing? But since you're not, you don't? An odd concession to make.
   202. walt williams bobblehead Posted: July 27, 2008 at 05:38 PM (#2876721)
Whether or not Joba intended to do it has little to do with what the Red Sox thought his intentions were.


It also has little to do with the size of the dent it might make in Youkilis's forehead.
   203. JC in DC Posted: July 27, 2008 at 05:44 PM (#2876743)
So which is it? Was Joba trying to hit Youkilis or not?


I think Andy's position on this is clear: no, he was not trying to, but obviously did throw at him. Is that hard to understand?
   204. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 27, 2008 at 05:46 PM (#2876747)
How about this, he was not trying to hit Youkilis in the head, but he was trying to create a situation in which there was, let's say, a 10% chance that Youkilis would be hit in the head.
   205. Los Angeles ALBERT F. PUJOLS of Anaheim Posted: July 27, 2008 at 05:48 PM (#2876752)
I think Andy's position on this is clear: no, he was not trying to, but obviously did throw at him. Is that hard to understand?
It is when you want Andy to say what Andy's not saying.
   206. JC in DC Posted: July 27, 2008 at 05:52 PM (#2876761)
It is when you want Andy to say what Andy's not saying.


I'm not sure I understand what you're saying I'm saying that Andy's saying.
   207. Joe Bivens, Schmoo from Massachoosetts Posted: July 27, 2008 at 06:08 PM (#2876789)
Arod got hit just above the elbow. Not on the shoulder. Not near the head.

Anyway...
   208. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 27, 2008 at 06:11 PM (#2876796)
I'm saying that what I said Andy said is not what you said Andy said. And I think Andy would say that Andy said that Andy would say the same.
   209. Robinson Cano Plate Like Home Posted: July 27, 2008 at 09:30 PM (#2877044)
Youk didn't get hit at all.

Anyway....
   210. Avoid running at all times.-S. Paige Posted: July 27, 2008 at 09:57 PM (#2877052)
I'm saying that what I said Andy said is not what you said Andy said. And I think Andy would say that Andy said that Andy would say the same.

You don't say!
   211. Joe Bivens, Schmoo from Massachoosetts Posted: July 27, 2008 at 10:10 PM (#2877056)
Youk didn't get hit at all.

I see. So no harm no foul. Ok. Whatever.
   212. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 27, 2008 at 11:16 PM (#2877094)
So which is it? Was Joba trying to hit Youkilis or not?


I think Andy's position on this is clear: no, he was not trying to, but obviously did throw at him. Is that hard to understand?

Joba was pitching him inside to learn him the usual lesson, and the ball got away. And judging by Youk's feeble swings after that, I think the lesson was learned. Bravo, Joba.

But no, I don't think Joba was trying to bean Youk, or even trying hit him. It was a 1-0 game, in case people have forgotten. If anything, he likely wanted to give him something to think about. I can see why Youk and the Red Sox might not agree, but that's all in the heat of battle. And it's not as if they've never put any Yankees out of commission before with equally little provocation.

Again, this shlt has been happening since the days of Chesbro and Cy Young. Nothing to get excited about.
   213. JC in DC Posted: July 27, 2008 at 11:32 PM (#2877102)
I think Andy's position on this is clear: no, he was not trying to, but obviously did throw at him. Is that hard to understand?

Joba was pitching him inside to learn him the usual lesson, and the ball got away. And judging by Youk's feeble swings after that, I think the lesson was learned. Bravo, Joba.

But no, I don't think Joba was trying to bean Youk, or even trying hit him. It was a 1-0 game, in case people have forgotten. If anything, he likely wanted to give him something to think about. I can see why Youk and the Red Sox might not agree, but that's all in the heat of battle. And it's not as if they've never put any Yankees out of commission before with equally little provocation.

Again, this shlt has been happening since the days of Chesbro and Cy Young. Nothing to get excited about.


Just like I said.
   214. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 27, 2008 at 11:59 PM (#2877125)
And let the game begin! OhboyOhboyOhboy!
   215. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 28, 2008 at 12:17 AM (#2877166)
Joba was pitching him inside to learn him the usual lesson, and the ball got away.
Sure. Three times.
   216. Al Kaline Trio Posted: July 28, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2877174)
Joba's been hanging with this guy too much I think. It's getting to his --- head.
   217. Perros Posted: July 28, 2008 at 12:42 AM (#2877218)
Or maybe this guy.
   218. Mattbert Posted: July 28, 2008 at 06:03 AM (#2877524)
Joba was pitching him inside to learn him the usual lesson, and the ball got away.

There's plenty of Youkilis below the neck to pitch "inside" to. If you can't command your fastball up in the zone, you shouldn't be delivering it in the vicinity of a guy's coconut. That'd be extremely reckless (see also complaints re: Hansen's retaliatory plunking of Rodriguez).

Given that Chamberlain was so wild he'd walked all of one batter in the game, I am tempted to believe that he knew exactly what he was doing with that pitch to Youkilis. The history between the two of them reinforces that belief.
   219. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: July 28, 2008 at 06:36 AM (#2877532)
I suppose that's possible, although:
Piazza v. Clemens, career: .421/.500/1.105, for a 1.605 OPS. I don't know if it worked.


Piazza v. Clemens, following the beaning: .100/.250/.400, for a .650 OPS. (Including Game Two of the 2000 WS.)

(1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K in 12 plate appearances)
   220. Jeff K. Posted: July 28, 2008 at 07:48 AM (#2877538)
I can't believe that not being able to sleep has led to me reading this thread, but:

Even if I were to accept that this was baseball wisdom

If you don't, I don't know what to tell you. Andy is 100% correct. This is why a pitch going behind someone's head is going to provoke a large reaction almost every single time. The natural reaction to a pitch coming at you is to duck down and back. If the pitch goes there, the head moves directly into the path of the pitch.

This is "baseball wisdom", without question.
   221. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 28, 2008 at 09:20 AM (#2877540)
I still think my Yasser Arafat theory holds a lot of water. I bet you they promised Joba's dad not only the 72 virgins, but they'd let him WALK.
   222. Joe Bivens, Schmoo from Massachoosetts Posted: July 28, 2008 at 09:42 AM (#2877545)
Jeff, Andy's point about pitches thrown behind the batter's head is besides the main point. Throwing a fastball directly at a batter's head is just as bad. Tony Conigliaro. Doug Griffin. Both RHBs beaned by hard throwing RHPs who threw right at them. I'm pretty sure there are many more examples of players being badly injured by pitches hitting them in the head.
   223. Jeff K. Posted: July 28, 2008 at 09:47 PM (#2878442)
Jeff, Andy's point about pitches thrown behind the batter's head is besides the main point.

Agreed, but that doesn't make the claim that it's not accepted "baseball wisdom" that it's more dangerous to throw behind a guy's head than it is to throw directly at it, because of natural physical reactions to things flying at your head (ie move!) combined with baseball specifics (you rarely see a guy move forward to get out of the way of a pitch that's not way behind him, for whatever reason) any more acceptable or any less nonsensical.
   224. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 28, 2008 at 10:04 PM (#2878449)
Not to mention that there's absoutely no evidence that Joba was trying to do anything other than to move an aggressive hitter back from the plate. The assumptive leap that he was trying to hit Youk, or even worse, to hit him in the head, is wholly unsupported by anything other than speculation about motive.

Batters have the right to be aggressive in claiming the plate. Pitchers have a right to pitch inside to dissuade them. Sometimes inside pitches get away and sail further inside on a batter. If this happens to an aggressive hitter, it often happens that there's a close call.

This shlt happens. It doesn't mean it was intentional. And the circumstances of the incident---a 1 to 0 game in the seventh inning---hardly support an inference of intent on Joba's part. If anything it's the opposite. But some of you all have it in your head that he's a "headhunter," and the only evidence you need is your internalized Holy War against the Evil Empire.
   225. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 28, 2008 at 10:30 PM (#2878489)
Not to mention that there's absoutely no evidence that Joba was trying to do anything other than to move an aggressive hitter back from the plate. The assumptive leap that he was trying to hit Youk, or even worse, to hit him in the head, is wholly unsupported by anything other than speculation about motive.

Whether he was trying or not, his actions obviously had repercussions for his teammates. Pitchers have all the right in the world to throw inside, but if you can't do it without throwing at one dude in particular's head and putting your team at risk, then I wonder if it's such a great strategy. If I was A-Rod, I'd probably be telling Joba to cool it. Or at least pointing to my bruise and throwing balled up socks at Joba's head.
   226. Jeff K. Posted: July 28, 2008 at 10:38 PM (#2878508)
To note: I have no idea about this incident, haven't seen it. I'm nobody's remotest idea of a Yankee fan, but Boston went from being my 2nd AL team and 4th overall from 1988 or so through 2004 to complete ambivalence. So I have no dog in the overall fight.
   227. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 28, 2008 at 11:14 PM (#2878602)
Whether he was trying or not, his actions obviously had repercussions for his teammates. Pitchers have all the right in the world to throw inside, but if you can't do it without throwing at one dude in particular's head and putting your team at risk, then I wonder if it's such a great strategy. If I was A-Rod, I'd probably be telling Joba to cool it. Or at least pointing to my bruise and throwing balled up socks at Joba's head.

Chamberlain's obviously a pitcher in the Clemens mold, hardthrowing and aggressive. He doesn't have perfect control, and he's under no obligation to play Walter Johnson just because an inside pitch gets away from him now and then.

As for the repercussions, that's certainly a point to consider, especially since there's an equal chance that someone like A-Rod will wind up on the DL. The only way to gauge this, though, is in hindsight, and the last thing you want to do is to tell Joba not to pitch aggressively inside. For the obvious reason that that sort of a concession, once it became known, would turn him into a batting practice pitcher.

BTW, do you think that the Red Sox told Pedro to cool it after he plunked Jeter and A-Rod in the same inning? Or did they just let Pedro be Pedro? Three guesses.
   228. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:58 AM (#2879724)
Not to mention that there's absoutely no evidence that Joba was trying to do anything other than to move an aggressive hitter back from the plate. The assumptive leap that he was trying to hit Youk, or even worse, to hit him in the head, is wholly unsupported by anything other than speculation about motive.
This is Andy's usual nonsense argument, made to make him sound sophisticated without actually making any sense at all. The same "logic" could be applied to a charge of attempted murder. "Yes, he pointed a gun at him and shot him, but you're just assuming he was trying to kill him, and this 'assumptive leap' is 'wholly unsuppored by anything other than speculation about motive.'" Newsflash, Andy: nobody is a mind reader. Therefore, all statements about someone's motives are "speculation." But they are not "wholly unsupported by anything other than speculation." They are an inference from conduct.

(As it happens, I just served on a jury last week, and the judge clearly explained this for those people as confused as Andy: the prosecution has the burden of proving intent, but is not required to present direct evidence of intent, since such would be impossible. Instead, he can present evidence of conduct, from which the jury can infer intent.)


Chamberlain's obviously a pitcher in the Clemens mold, hardthrowing and aggressive. He doesn't have perfect control, and he's under no obligation to play Walter Johnson just because an inside pitch gets away from him now and then.
Where "now and then" seems to be "when Kevin Youkilis is at the plate." And the "inside pitch" is actually at Youkilis's head. But you go right on pretending that since Joba didn't issue a press release saying, "I am going to throw a baseball at Kevin Youkilis," we don't have evidence that he was throwing at Youkilis.
   229. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 10:01 AM (#2879733)
Not to mention that there's absoutely no evidence that Joba was trying to do anything other than to move an aggressive hitter back from the plate. The assumptive leap that he was trying to hit Youk, or even worse, to hit him in the head, is wholly unsupported by anything other than speculation about motive.

This is Andy's usual nonsense argument, made to make him sound sophisticated without actually making any sense at all. The same "logic" could be applied to a charge of attempted murder. "Yes, he pointed a gun at him and shot him, but you're just assuming he was trying to kill him, and this 'assumptive leap' is 'wholly unsuppored by anything other than speculation about motive.'"


I'm not sure what "sophistication" has to do with any of this. You might as well drag out "elitism" while you're at it. But the last time I looked, it was a lot easier to aim a gun with precision than it was a baseball. Blind as we are, either of us could kill a man from 60 feet with a pistol a lot more easily than any pitcher on Earth could intentionally hit a batter in the head from that distance, especially knowing that the batter gets to move away from the pitch.

(As it happens, I just served on a jury last week, and the judge clearly explained this for those people as confused as Andy: the prosecution has the burden of proving intent, but is not required to present direct evidence of intent, since such would be impossible. Instead, he can present evidence of conduct, from which the jury can infer intent.)

I have to laugh at the thought of you trying to sneak yourself onto a jury that was trying any case involving a member of the Yankees---"Of course I can keep my prejudices out of this! I swear that I'll only consider the facts! Why, some of my best friends are Yankee fans."

[At this point David sweats visibly; lets out a gulp heard clear across the courtroom; heartbeat registers on the Richter scale]

Not to mention that I'd like to be able to call about a hundred pitchers to the witness stand and ask them how they'd aim a pitch if they really wanted to bean a batter. The only way you'd ever get a conviction of Chamberlain in this case is by restricting the jury to Red Sox fans and people who've never played a game of competitive fast pitch baseball in their lives. People like yourself.

Chamberlain's obviously a pitcher in the Clemens mold, hardthrowing and aggressive. He doesn't have perfect control, and he's under no obligation to play Walter Johnson just because an inside pitch gets away from him now and then.

Where "now and then" seems to be "when Kevin Youkilis is at the plate." And the "inside pitch" is actually at Youkilis's head. But you go right on pretending that since Joba didn't issue a press release saying, "I am going to throw a baseball at Kevin Youkilis," we don't have evidence that he was throwing at Youkilis.


And you go right on pretending that Joba has some kind of a vendetta against Kevin Youkilis. I sure as hell hope Youkilis is thinking along those lines the next hundred times he faces Chamberlain, but unfortunately for the Good Guys, he's probably not as stupid as that.
   230. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2879806)
But the last time I looked, it was a lot easier to aim a gun with precision than it was a baseball. Blind as we are, either of us could kill a man from 60 feet with a pistol a lot more easily than any pitcher on Earth could intentionally hit a batter in the head from that distance, especially knowing that the batter gets to move away from the pitch.
Yes, yes, all that's relevant to something, I assume, but not to our discussion.


The point here is that you're pulling your usual stunt of "Why would he do X?" and then when people respond with possible reasons, you say, "Well, you're just speculating. You don't have any proof he was thinking that."
   231. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 01:17 PM (#2879810)
The point here is that you're pulling your usual stunt of "Why would he do X?" and then when people respond with possible reasons, you say, "Well, you're just speculating. You don't have any proof he was thinking that."


There's no stunt in Andy's presentation of reasons why Joba clearly would not have wanted to throw at Youk. Further, you can see in his "conduct" right after the pitch that he acts like the pitch got away from him.
   232. TVerik, AKA Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dog Posted: July 29, 2008 at 01:17 PM (#2879811)
I'm nobody's remotest idea of a Yankee fan, but Boston went from being my 2nd AL team and 4th overall from 1988 or so through 2004 to complete ambivalence.

I'm not smacking Jeffy around here, but is this normal? I have a favorite AL team and that's about it. I find it easy to love or hate an NL team or two every year (but almost never the same one or two), and my hatred of other AL teams is largely predicted upon the degree to which they lay down for the Yankees. An example of this is that I was a mild Indians fan early this decade, but them knocking the Yanks out of the playoffs last year likely means that I won't be forgiving them for at least five years.

Lately I'm liking the Twins.
   233. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 01:30 PM (#2879825)
I'm not smacking Jeffy around here, but is this normal? I have a favorite AL team and that's about it. I find it easy to love or hate an NL team or two every year (but almost never the same one or two), and my hatred of other AL teams is largely predicted upon the degree to which they lay down for the Yankees.
I don't think it's normal, no. I root for the Orioles, period. (And, as the cliche goes, whoever is playing the Yankees.) Sure, after a season unfolds and the Orioles fall out of contention, there may be a team which I show mild interest in -- this year, I'm kind of hoping to see Tampa go all the way -- but I don't care per se.
   234. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 01:42 PM (#2879835)
The point here is that you're pulling your usual stunt of "Why would he do X?" and then when people respond with possible reasons, you say, "Well, you're just speculating. You don't have any proof he was thinking that."


You do know the difference between speculation (which in this case is the inference of motive solely on the basis of selected evidence) and proof, don't you?

There's no stunt in Andy's presentation of reasons why Joba clearly would not have wanted to throw at Youk. Further, you can see in his "conduct" right after the pitch that he acts like the pitch got away from him.

Don't confuse David's one track mind with any contradictory evidence, JC. He'll say that it's all part of the act. He may not actually know a damn thing about what Joba was trying to do, but he knows what he saw. He's the Potter Stewart of BTF, who sees a porno mag under every pinstriped uniform.

It's also kind of funny how David's standards of proof seem to vary from "smoking gun required" (Bonds) to "Youk had to duck, therefore we can plainly see Joba's intent" (the Great Youkilis Attempted Murder case).

This mightn't have anything to do with David's selective fandoms (pro-Bonds, anti-Yankees), would it?

Nah, he's just a rational, objective truthseeker. The Diogenes of BTF who finds his man only by looking in the mirror.
   235. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 01:55 PM (#2879853)
It's also kind of funny how David's standards of proof seem to vary from "smoking gun required" (Bonds) to "Youk had to duck, therefore we can plainly see Joba's intent" (the Great Youkilis Attempted Murder case).
Or, rather, conclusions seem to differ from "no witnesses" to "millions of witnesses on multiple occasions." Keep pretending that the pitch this week was the only time Joba threw at Youkilis, Andy.
   236. Jeff K. Posted: July 29, 2008 at 02:13 PM (#2879874)
I'm not smacking Jeffy around here, but is this normal?

I don't think it's normal, no.

Really? I have this in every sport. There's my team, a few teams I root for against anyone but my team, a whole ton of teams I couldn't care less about, and a bunch of teams I hate.

Baseball: Rangers, Cardinals/Giants, everyone else, Yankees
NFL: 49ers, Saints, everyone else, Rams/Raiders/Bucs/Giants/Redskins/Eagles
CFB: Texas, LSU/BC/others, everyone else, Miami/Nebraska/Oklahoma/Texas A&M;/Texas Tech/Arkansas/a bunch of others not current or former rivals of UT
NBA: Mavs, nobody, everyone else, Spurs/Jazz/Rockets/Lakers

The teams I root for against anyone besides my team are usually circumstance (Born in Shreveport, LA, Giants' AA team for many years, Dad was a huge Cards fan, etc.) and hate is just some thing or another about that team, like hating the Eagles because of Buddy Ryan.
   237. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 02:19 PM (#2879878)
Keep pretending that the pitch this week was the only time Joba threw at Youkilis, Andy.


Which, IIRC, Andy expressly denied, David. Let's not resort to worn-out tricks of stating things people never said. Andy said the same thing I did and believe: sure, he's thrown at Youks before and intended to throw at him, but I (we) don't think he intended to this time, reasons for such conviction being the game situation and Joba's immediate reaction (watch the video).
   238. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 02:20 PM (#2879879)
Or, rather, conclusions seem to differ from "no witnesses" to "millions of witnesses on multiple occasions."


I thought one couldn't see intent? How could millions of people witness his intent? No one denies that Joba threw at Youks.
   239. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 03:10 PM (#2879960)
Keep pretending that the pitch this week was the only time Joba threw at Youkilis, Andy.


Which, IIRC, Andy expressly denied, David. Let's not resort to worn-out tricks of stating things people never said. Andy said the same thing I did and believe: sure, he's thrown at Youks before and intended to throw at him, but I (we) don't think he intended to this time, reasons for such conviction being the game situation and Joba's immediate reaction (watch the video).

JC,I've almost given up on expecting David to put words into my mouth, but again, just to make my position clear:

Joba's nearly hit Youk on several occasions.

If Joba had been really trying to hit Youkilis, as opposed to trying to send him the same sort of timeless message that thousands of pitchers have always tried to send to thousands of aggressive hitters, you'd think that at least once he might have succeeded. He could have taken lessons from a real pro like Craig Hansen, who knows how to get the job done.

If Joba really had wanted to hit Youkilis in the head, he would have thrown in the classic manner of behind and below, and waited for Youk's normal instinctive reaction to cause him to duck into the pitch. David doesn't seem to understand this, or chooses to ignore it.

I understand that David's likely never played a game of of baseball in his life where pitches have been thrown at more than lob speed, so I can understand this ignorance on his part. But usually when a lawyer doesn't know something, he consults people who might.

And in this case, he might ask any pitcher who's ever pitched in a game of competitive hardball. He might ask them: "If I want to bean a batter, do I aim at his head, or do I aim behind and below?"

Of course they may not tell him what he wants to hear, but that's his problem.

I don't think that Joba has ever tried to hit Youkalis. It's not really that hard to do if you want to. I think he's just trying to intimidate him, in the manner of pitchers from time immemorial. And he doesn't have perfect control---if the pitch had been all of a foot closer to the plate, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

And certainly I don't think he was trying to bean him.

David's evidence to the contrary consists of a few close calls and a lot of inference based on cherrypicked evidence.

And as for those "millions of witnesses" on "multiple occasions": Do a bit of jury screening to keep Yankee haters and Yankee fans off the panel, and sit the remaining fans down in front of a group of expert witnesses, and you wouldn't get a conviction in a million years. And the only way you'd take a case like that yourself would be for the publicity value, since you know damn well what the result would be.
   240. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 03:42 PM (#2879997)
No one denies that Joba threw at Youks.
Well, Andy does; he thinks the ball "slipped." Three times.
   241. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:05 PM (#2880021)
David's version of the Joba Rules apparently means that Joba shouldn't be allowed to pitch inside to Youkilis unless he can guarantee that the ball doesn't go too far inside.

I'm sure that Red Sox fans everywhere will dittohead that---the same Red Sox fans who expressed so much outrage when Mike Timlin hit Derek Jeter 3 times in 35 PA's. The same sort of Red Sox fans who posted this sympathetic video when Jeter got beaned. We appreciated their kind words of sportsmanship on those occasions.

David also seems to think that a brushback pitch is the moral equivalent of "throwing at" a batter. Hence his confusion about what Joba was doing.
   242. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:06 PM (#2880024)
As I said the other day, I've watched 90% of Chamberlain's major league innings and I can't recall a pitch at anyone else's head other than Youkilis's. Can anyone else? When Chamberlain misses up and in, he misses chest high. Except when the batter's name is "Kevin Youkilis."

On Friday afternoon Mike Francesa repeatedly predicted that the situation between Chamberlain and Youkilis would flare up again that night. Then Chamberlain "missed" with a pitch at Youkilis's head. Either that's a huge coincidence, or one only needs to be as smart as Mike Francesa to realize that Chamberlain was throwing at Youkilis's head.
   243. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:09 PM (#2880027)
David also seems to think that a brushback pitch is the moral equivalent of "throwing at" a batter. Hence his confusion about what Joba was doing.


Well, maybe I don't agree with you. Joba threw at Youks on Friday. I don't think he intended to, but I do think he has intended to throw at Youks in the past. I think, on Friday given the situation and his reaction, he thought he hit Youks and did not intend to do that on a 2-0 pitch, lead off hitter late in a 1-0 game. I think he lost the ball.
   244. Deacon Blues Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:14 PM (#2880034)
You know what. I'm glad Joba threw at youkilis. That is most decidedly the way both these teams have played against each other for the past decade so it is absolutely RIDICULOUS for either side to get worked up on this issue. pedro threw at the yankees, clemens threw at the red sox, beckett throws at people, joba does, hansen does...etc etc etc. they both do it, anyone who says otherwise is full of sh!t. just accept it and move on. In joba's case, it accomplished what it was meant to. no one got hurt, and youkilis ended up swinging like a girl.
   245. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:17 PM (#2880039)
JC (#254), since it's irrational to throw at a batter's head in the first place, I don't find it very persuasive to then apply a rationality argument based on game situation.

Chamberlain doesn't mind maiming Youkilis, as long as the game situation is right?
   246. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:19 PM (#2880043)
JC (#254), since it's irrational to throw at a batter's head in the first place, I don't find it very persuasive to then apply a rationality argument based on game situation.


It's not irrational to throw at a batter. There are plenty of situations where it's rational to do so. I don't accept your premise at all, and thus am not compelled to agree w/your conclusion.
   247. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:20 PM (#2880046)
I have nothing to contribute except to say that this thread is wildly entertaining from front to back. How many threads go 250+ posts and stay on topic? It's popcornworthy.
   248. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:23 PM (#2880050)
It's not irrational to throw at a batter.


But it is to throw at a batter's head, which is what I said.
   249. RJ in TO Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:25 PM (#2880053)
Either that's a huge coincidence, or one only needs to be as smart as Mike Francesa to realize that Chamberlain was throwing at Youkilis's head.


Aren't you the same guy arguing that the skill of the starting pitchers that Manny has missed facing are just a huge coincidence? How can you justify calling Manny's situation as coincidence, but Joba's situation as maliciousness?
   250. Deacon Blues Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:27 PM (#2880055)
I really think BTF should start a thread which is just "yankees fans v. red sox fans" where the fans of the respective teams can choose to argue about any and all things. 1941 AL MVP, Joba v. youkilis, clemens v. pedro, rivera v. papelbon and whatever else. it would be much simpler that way.
   251. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:29 PM (#2880058)
But it is to throw at a batter's head, which is what I said.


It's silly games w/Ray time? My "rational" explanation was not for this occasion. I claim he did not intend to throw at Youks', head, buttocks, chin, or otherwise, so my explanation is not meant to apply to the choice to throw at his head.

You're now in the odd situation of having to account for a bout of irrationality on Joba's part without any evidence for it, whereas my explanation rests on the surer ground of human imperfection - he missed his target. I can't wait 'til you apply your evidentiary skepticism to your claim of momentary irrationality.
   252. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:31 PM (#2880061)
David also seems to think that a brushback pitch is the moral equivalent of "throwing at" a batter. Hence his confusion about what Joba was doing.

Well, maybe I don't agree with you. Joba threw at Youks on Friday. I don't think he intended to, but I do think he has intended to throw at Youks in the past. I think, on Friday given the situation and his reaction, he thought he hit Youks and did not intend to do that on a 2-0 pitch, lead off hitter late in a 1-0 game. I think he lost the ball.


Just one point of clarification: How can one "throw at" a batter, but not "intend to" hit him?

Perhaps you mean to say the same thing that I am: He was intentionally throwing inside, but unintentionally almost beaned him. Correct me if I'm misinterpreting you here.

I think that Joba, like a million other pitchers, throws inside, and like a million other pitchers, doesn't always aim a baseball with precision. I think he undoubtedly wanted to brush Youkilis back on more than one occasion, but

(a) So what? Brushbacks are legitimate; and

(b) If he were really trying to hit Youkilis, why didn't he succeed? If wild man Hansen can perform such a simple task, why can't control artist Chamberlain?

Ray seems to think that Joba has the skill and the intent to aim a ball precisely at Youk's head, but neither the skill nor the coldbloodedness to actually hit him---which it seems he would have done if he'd really wanted to.

But of course if we didn't have conspiracy theories and Designated Villains, what would be the fun of the game?
   253. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:33 PM (#2880064)
And, actually, it might be rational to throw at a batter's head, particularly if you agree w/Andy and Jeff K that throwing at the head is less likely to hit the head.
   254. TVerik, AKA Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dog Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:36 PM (#2880069)
1941 AL MVP


*gets mad*
   255. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:37 PM (#2880071)
Just one point of clarification: How can one "throw at" a batter, but not "intend to"?


One is a description of a physical event, like "The dog chased the squirrel up the tree." The other is an imputation of motivation which may or may not apply to the description of the physical event, "The dog did not want the squirrel to run up the tree."

Without question as a description of a physical event Joba threw at Youks. Did he intend to? I don't think so, as I've said.
   256. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:38 PM (#2880073)
1941 AL MVP


*gets mad*

Count da ring, babee. And go fetch that single that you just misplayed into a triple.
   257. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:39 PM (#2880076)
Just one point of clarification: How can one "throw at" a batter, but not "intend to"?

One is a description of a physical event, like "The dog chased the squirrel up the tree." The other is an imputation of motivation which may or may not apply to the description of the physical event, "The dog did not want the squirrel to run up the tree."

Without question as a description of a physical event Joba threw at Youks. Did he intend to? I don't think so, as I've said.


Got it, and there's nothing in there that I'd disagree with.
   258. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:45 PM (#2880081)
Aren't you the same guy arguing that the skill of the starting pitchers that Manny has missed facing are just a huge coincidence?


No. I wasn't moved at all by the overall ERA of the starting pitchers he missed; I thought it was a random selection of pitchers, not anything that needed to be explained by "coincidence."

Again, Gammons's argument was that Ramirez purposely sat out against good pitchers A, B, C, and D. I pointed out that:

1. Ramirez also "sat out" against bad pitchers D, E, F, and G.

2. In addition to missing a game that pitcher A (Felix Hernandez) started, Ramirez was in the lineup for a different game that pitcher A started, and performed quite well in that game.

3. Ramirez also has faced good pitchers H, I, J, and K (etc.) this year, and didn't sit out.

4. On at least a couple the occasions he's being accused of avoiding certain pitchers, Ramirez also missed a surrounding game, thereby indicating that he had some sort of injury after all.

Contrast the theme of the above (especially item 1) with my argument against Chamberlain, which is that he has thrown a pitch at a batter's head three times, wherein each time (to my knowledge) that batter was Kevin Youkilis. It's not like it's happened 12 times, and 3 of them just happened to be Youkilis.
   259. Deacon Blues Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:54 PM (#2880095)
actually Ray, for your argument to be valid on chamberlain (insofar as your logic with manny goes) you must prove that chamberlain never threw at anybody else. and also that chamberlain always throws at youkilis. after all, that is analagous to "he's missed games pitched by other people" and "he hasn't always missed games pitched by A,B,C".
   260. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 04:58 PM (#2880106)
With all this talk of intent, I guess that the only principled thing to do would be to bring three charges of attempted murder against Hit Man Joba, that cold blooded (albeit misfiring) assassin.

Just give me the licensing rights to the video game.
   261. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2880115)
2. In addition to missing a game that pitcher A (Felix Hernandez) started, Ramirez was in the lineup for a different game that pitcher A started, and performed quite well in that game.


Funny. He was 1-3, right? On May 6. He ducked the 2 next games he pitched, playing in the games surrounding the 1st and ducking Joba in the game after the next time.

4. On at least a couple the occasions he's being accused of avoiding certain pitchers, Ramirez also missed a surrounding game, thereby indicating that he had some sort of injury after all.


As DMN will point out, your conclusion does not follow. It indicates nothing and certainly doesn't dispell the notion he consciously chose to avoid a particular pitcher. It may indicate only that sometimes he hides his ducking better than others.

But, again, this analysis is coming from the guy who believes Manny "slipped" on the triple play and didn't just take 3 pitches against Mo, who'd only done that 2 other times in a 12 year career and who himself immediately after the play thought it was strange that Manny never swung.
   262. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2880125)
Again, Gammons's argument was that Ramirez purposely sat out against good pitchers A, B, C, and D. I pointed out that:

1. Ramirez also "sat out" against bad pitchers D, E, F, and G.
Look, if you're going to flip-flop like a Democrat, there's no point in having this discussion. Is D a good pitcher or a bad one?
   263. Steibferno Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#2880127)
actually Ray, for your argument to be valid on chamberlain (insofar as your logic with manny goes) you must prove that chamberlain never threw at anybody else. and also that chamberlain always throws at youkilis. after all, that is analagous to "he's missed games pitched by other people" and "he hasn't always missed games pitched by A,B,C".


And, a quick review of his game log shows that he already hit Jack Wilson and Ryan Sweeney this year. Oh oh...how will Ray switch his logic in order to make his case?!!!
   264. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#2880129)
actually Ray, for your argument to be valid on chamberlain (insofar as your logic with manny goes) you must prove that chamberlain never threw at anybody else. and also that chamberlain always throws at youkilis.


I've asked people to cite other occasions of a Chamberlain pitch going at a batter's head, and thus far nobody's been able to do it.

If there are non-Youkilis examples that would be strong evidence against my position, but so far all we have is:

# of Chamberlain pitches at Youkilis's head: 3
# of Chamberlain pitches at anyone else's head: 0

# of times Chamberlain has faced Youkilis: 8
# of times Chamberlain has faced anyone else: 406
   265. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2880132)
Maybe David can use Manny's ducking of Joba as further proof of Joba's intent to kill Youkilis. Maybe Joba came up to Manny before the game and whispered to him, "YOU'RE NEXT!!!"
   266. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:10 PM (#2880156)
Funny. He was 1-3, right?


With a walk, a run, and an RBI. As I said, he performed quite well in that game.

But, again, this analysis is coming from the guy who believes Manny "slipped" on the triple play and didn't just take 3 pitches against Mo, who'd only done that 2 other times in a 12 year career and who himself immediately after the play thought it was strange that Manny never swung.


?? I don't recall commenting on the Rivera incident at all. I certainly never said I thought it was strange Ramirez didn't swing.
   267. Deacon Blues Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:14 PM (#2880166)
I can distinctly recall other times where chamberlain has had balls go up and in on people. agains the indians last year in relief i believe.

in regards to your citing the frequency of said events versus their frequency versus other people, i would ask that you apply the same frequency test to games that Manny has sat out versus bad pitchers and good pitchers. He has missed a very very high percentage of the games that volquez (or whatever his name is) chamberlian and hernandez have started. compared to games started by say, sidney ponson.

not that i blame him, after watching chamberlain embarass his teammates, i'd be inclined to skip him as well.
   268. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:16 PM (#2880171)
And, a quick review of his game log shows that he already hit Jack Wilson and Ryan Sweeney this year. Oh oh...how will Ray switch his logic in order to make his case?!!!


No switching of logic necessary, since my argument has never been that Chamberlain has hit no other batters.

My argument is that Chamberlain has never "missed" at anyone's head other than Youkilis's. (And I've asked people to cite other examples.)

You're not paying attention to what's actually being written, Steibferno.
   269. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:17 PM (#2880175)
?? I don't recall commenting on the Rivera incident at all. I certainly never said I thought it was strange Ramirez didn't swing.


Hey, I'm just happy you concede that you think Manny slipped on the 3b. I think that pretty much vitiates any claim you make to being impartial on this.

With a walk, a run, and an RBI.

Super (though you're aware the run and rbi are functions of his teammates' success?). I have no idea why he's ducked him since then. Perhaps Operation Shutdown dawned on him later?
   270. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:23 PM (#2880189)
You're not paying attention to what's actually being written, Steibferno.


He is. It's just hard to keep the nonsense straight. We're supposed to impute impeccable control to Joba, except he's walked 34 guys, had 3 WPs, hit batters, and yet, if it's up and in on Youks, it MUST BE INTENTIONAL b/c Ray doesn't recall him doing that to anyone else and b/c his control's incredible. But, Steib is showing (1) that his control is not impeccable, or (2) if Joba wants to hit someone, he might just be able to.

I think it remains plausible that (a) Youks has intended to intimidate Youks and (b) this time, he didn't mean it, but the ball slipped.
   271. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:24 PM (#2880192)
Hey, I'm just happy you concede that you think Manny slipped on the 3b.


That's correct. I think Ramirez slipped. Or, more accurately, I haven't seen evidence to the contrary.

Super (though you're aware the run and rbi are functions of his teammates' success?).


Um, yes, I'm aware. But we're talking about Ramirez's state of mind, not mine.
   272. SugarBear Blanks Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:25 PM (#2880199)
Again, Gammons's argument was that Ramirez purposely sat out against good pitchers A, B, C, and D. I pointed out that:

1. Ramirez also "sat out" against bad pitchers D, E, F, and G.

2. In addition to missing a game that pitcher A (Felix Hernandez) started, Ramirez was in the lineup for a different game that pitcher A started, and performed quite well in that game.

3. Ramirez also has faced good pitchers H, I, J, and K (etc.) this year, and didn't sit out.

4. On at least a couple the occasions he's being accused of avoiding certain pitchers, Ramirez also missed a surrounding game, thereby indicating that he had some sort of injury after all.


And the guy whose "sick" days just happen to fall 90% on sunny Fridays:

1. Works *some* Fridays
2. Also takes off some Mondays
3. Sometimes takes two consecutive "sick" days.
   273. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 05:40 PM (#2880229)
Hey, SugarBear, did you know that 40% of sick days are taken on Monday or Friday?
   274. SugarBear Blanks Posted: July 29, 2008 at 06:00 PM (#2880255)
Hey, SugarBear, did you know that 40% of sick days are taken on Monday or Friday?

How do you figure?
   275. RJ in TO Posted: July 29, 2008 at 06:05 PM (#2880265)
How do you figure?


Monday and Friday represent 40% of the normal working week.
   276. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:15 PM (#2880383)
We're supposed to impute impeccable control to Joba, except he's walked 34 guys, had 3 WPs, hit batters, and yet, if it's up and in on Youks, it MUST BE INTENTIONAL b/c Ray doesn't recall him doing that to anyone else and b/c his control's incredible. But, Steib is showing (1) that his control is not impeccable, or (2) if Joba wants to hit someone, he might just be able to.

Yeah, Joba's got such perfect control he can miss Youk's head every time, even when he's trying to kill him.

Which of course makes Joba an even more heinous villain, because he gets to perform repeated acts of attempted murder while remaining free to twirl his waxy moustache with carefree and laughing abandon---and just wait and see what he's got in store for Youk's wife and children.
   277. RJ not in TO Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:23 PM (#2880394)

Which of course makes Joba an even more heinous villain, because he gets to perform repeated acts of attempted murder while remaining free to twirl his waxy moustache with carefree and laughing abandon---and just wait and see what he's got in store for Youk's wife and children.


See, you can tell Joba is the bad guy because he has shifty eyes.
   278. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:35 PM (#2880415)
Andy, can you explain 3 pitches at the head in 8 plate appearances?
   279. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:39 PM (#2880419)
It slipped, Ray. Three times.
   280. Deacon Blues Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:42 PM (#2880426)
Can Ray explain manny skipping joba twice in two appearances?
   281. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:43 PM (#2880432)
Can Ray explain manny skipping joba twice in two appearances?


I thought I did. See my #269.
   282. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:46 PM (#2880439)
It slipped, Ray. Three times.


I don't even see why Chamberlain would be brushing Youkilis back 3 times in 8 PAs. Is Kevin Youkilis Hank Aaron?
   283. Deacon Blues Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:47 PM (#2880440)
no you didn't. we've been over the ridiculous holes in your arguments as it relates to letting manny off the hook versus Joba. this of course, is on top of the fact that people with real knowledge of the situation have come out and said manny is intentionally skipping facing the good pitchers. People with far more knowledge of the situation than anyone this board. there is no such evidence with regards to joba.

Again I ask you, if Joba throwing at Youkilis way more than he throws at anyone else proves intent, then how come manny skipping joba way more than anyone else (100% if i'm doing the math correctly...wait a second, let's see here, 2 divided by 2 is...carry the two, yeah it's 100) isn't indicative of the same "intent". just answer that.
   284. JC in DC Posted: July 29, 2008 at 07:57 PM (#2880452)
It slipped, Ray. Three times.


Cute and deliciously inconsistent with your normal ######## requirement of iron-clad evidence, but I, at least, have no interest in denying that Joba has intended to throw at Youks in the past. I do, however, deny it this time, as I've explained above. Now, why don't you apply your logic and intellect to showing Ray just how ludicrous it is to claim that Manny slipped on that play in LF? Or, why don't you explain how millions of witnesses could see the intention in Joba's pitch?
   285. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:11 PM (#2880479)
JC, serious question, to be sure I properly understand your position:

Are you saying you think Joba has intended to throw at Youkilis's head in the past -- or just at Youkilis in general? (If the latter, at which part of Youkilis, specifically?)
   286. Perros Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:16 PM (#2880486)
I root for the Orioles, period.


Explains a lot.


But we're talking about Ramirez's state of mind, not mine.


Batshit crazy is batshit crazy.
   287. karlmagnus Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:19 PM (#2880489)
evil scumbags with an axe to grind have said Manny didn't slip. Impartial observers who have seen the video agree he did. Scumbags aren't properly to be classified as people.
   288. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:23 PM (#2880496)
Now, why don't you apply your logic and intellect to showing Ray just how ludicrous it is to claim that Manny slipped on that play in LF?
I can't, because I don't know which play we're talking about. Can someone point it to me on Youtube so I can figure it out?

Or, why don't you explain how millions of witnesses could see the intention in Joba's pitch?
Television.

You mean, how could they deduce his intention? You mean, you can't tell the difference between a ball slipping and a ball going approximately where it was intended, by watching?
   289. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:29 PM (#2880500)
Andy, can you explain 3 pitches at the head in 8 plate appearances?

Very easily. Three attempted brushbacks to an aggressive and dangerous hitter, three pitches that sailed, and three close calls---with no bruises to Youkilis other than the beneficial psychological ones. Big f*ck*ng deal. Joba has every bit as much right to try to take Youkilis out of his rhythm as Red Sox pitchers have to play similar games of their own---which by the numbers they do far more than the Yankees.

Believe it or not, most baseball people understand this, which is why you don't usually hear this sort of pious cluck-clucking from the players in the broadcast booths.

BTW what's your explanation for Timlin's hitting---not "throwing at," but hitting---Jeter 3 times in 35 plate appearances? That would roughly translate to 60 times in the course of a normal Derek Jeter season.

Does this mean that Timlin's got better control than Joba, or worse? Was Timlin's intent more benign than Joba's, or more benevolent? Is there more to be discerned from Timlin's callous squirting of tobacco juice, or Joba's evil squint? Please consult your millions of Massachusetts mindreading experts and straighten us out on this one.
   290. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:30 PM (#2880502)
Andy, can you explain 3 pitches at the head in 8 plate appearances?

Very easily. Three attempted brushbacks to an aggressive and dangerous hitter, three pitches that sailed, and three close calls---with no bruises to Youkilis other than the beneficial psychological ones. Big f*ck*ng deal. Joba has every bit as much right to try to take Youkilis out of his rhythm as Red Sox pitchers have to play similar games of their own---which by the numbers they do far more than the Yankees.

Believe it or not, most baseball people understand this, which is why you don't usually hear this sort of pious cluck-clucking from the players in the broadcast booths.

BTW what's your explanation for Timlin's hitting---not "throwing at," but hitting---Jeter 3 times in 35 plate appearances? That would roughly translate to 60 times in the course of a normal Derek Jeter season.

Does this mean that Timlin's got better control than Joba, or worse? Was Timlin's intent more benign than Joba's, or more benevolent? Is there more to be discerned from Timlin's callous squirting of tobacco juice, or Joba's evil squint? Please consult your millions of Massachusetts mindreading experts and straighten us out on this one.

EDIT: Sorry for the double post.
   291. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:32 PM (#2880504)
Now, why don't you apply your logic and intellect to showing Ray just how ludicrous it is to claim that Manny slipped on that play in LF?

I can't, because I don't know which play we're talking about.


Bzzt. Wrong answer. The correct answer is "Ray is right."

Thanks for playing.
   292. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:48 PM (#2880519)
Here's ESPN's description of the play from their game recap that night. (I can't find the video; ballhype had it but I guess MLB made them take it down.) JC, what is your contention, exactly? That Ramirez slipped on purpose?

Manny Ramirez, whose defensive play in left field has always been a cause for concern for the Red Sox, misplayed what appeared to be a bloop RBI single by Maicer Izturis into a triple during a three-run sixth that extended the Angels' lead to 11-3.

The 12-time All-Star made a futile dive for a ball he had no chance of catching, then stumbled as he went to retrieve it -- and ended up rolling over onto the baseball. Ramirez finally relayed it back to the infield a few seconds later and broke into a huge grin that didn't exactly mirror the pained expression on manager Terry Francona's face.

"It's not an error, but I think I made the bloopers for life," Ramirez said. "I had a bad jump, but I still went for it. I missed the ball and that was it. I felt like I was swimming in a swamp right there."
   293. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:54 PM (#2880526)
Meanwhile, Mike Timlin awaits his cross-examination from the crack prosecutorial team of DiPerna and Nieporent. Strangely, Timlin doesn't look too concerned. In fact, I think I saw the three of them exchanging a trio of winks.
   294. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 08:58 PM (#2880529)
Andy, I don't know anything about how often Timlin has hit Jeter, but with Chamberlain I'm talking about a specific pitch in a specific location, three times. You guys can cite all the HBP data you want, but none of that addresses this issue.
   295. Perros Posted: July 29, 2008 at 09:03 PM (#2880532)
Did Andy accidentally double-post, or did he do it intentionally so that his argument would be posted at the top of Page 4?
   296. SugarBear Blanks Posted: July 29, 2008 at 09:05 PM (#2880535)
Here's ESPN's description of the play from their game recap that night. (I can't find the video; ballhype had it but I guess MLB made them take it down.) JC, what is your contention, exactly? That Ramirez slipped on purpose?



I'm not JC, but my contention is that take a peek at Manny doing anything baseball-related outside his comfort zone of swinging a bat -- be it playing or being a teammate -- and you're witnessing a dog for the ages.

Woof.(**)

(**) I love the huge grin.
   297. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 09:08 PM (#2880542)
Andy, I don't know anything about how often Timlin has hit Jeter, but with Chamberlain I'm talking about a specific pitch in a specific location, three times. You guys can cite all the HBP data you want, but none of that addresses this issue.

What it does address is why three brushback pitches that didn't even graze one batter deserve so much more attention than three pitches in 35 plate appearances that actually hit Jeter, including one that knocked his helmet off and sent him to the hospital for a CT scan.

But of course Jeter's only a Yankee, so in that case intent, not to mention execution, is of no interest.
   298. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 09:10 PM (#2880544)
Did Andy accidentally double-post, or did he do it intentionally so that his argument would be posted at the top of Page 4?

It'll take more than a mere brushback pitch to get that out of me. But what's that they say about real estate?
   299. RayDiPerna Posted: July 29, 2008 at 09:12 PM (#2880547)
Did Andy accidentally double-post, or did he do it intentionally so that his argument would be posted at the top of Page 4?


That's a favorite tactic of Andy's :-)
   300. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 29, 2008 at 09:22 PM (#2880567)
And meanwhile, Timlin's enjoying his nice steak dinner. He don't hafta answer no stinkin questions.
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