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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Jose Bautista: Canada broke baseball’s code

Wrecked Baseball Code!

Jose Bautista says Canada broke baseball’s unwritten code Saturday by trying to run up the score in their World Baseball Classic victory over Mexico, regardless of the tournament’s tiebreaker rules.

“I’m not buying the fact that teams are bunting when they’re up by six because of the rules of the WBC,” Bautista told reporters Sunday morning.

“I believe in the unwritten rules of the game. They should be respected. It’s a code amongst players and everybody who plays baseball at a level higher than Little League knows what it is and there’s no excuse.”

In the ninth inning of Canada’s 10-3 victory over Mexico — they were up 9-3 at the time — Canadian catcher Chris Robinson, of London, Ont., bunted himself aboard to lead-off the final frame.

Mexican pitcher Arnold Leon then hit the next batter, Toronto’s Rene Tosoni. Benches cleared and a violent brawl ensued.

Repoz Posted: March 10, 2013 at 05:41 PM | 43 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: wbc

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1. Darren

Posted: March 10, 2013 at 05:55 PM (#4385700)

That really doesn't do it justice. The 3rd baseman openly demanded the pitcher hit him, and then the pitcher went after him 3 times. Yikes.

Sorry, even by the code, up 6 is not insurmountable.

2. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: March 10, 2013 at 05:56 PM (#4385701)

So, are Canada and Mexico at war now?

3. Shock Posted: March 10, 2013 at 05:58 PM (#4385702)

You know, the code of baseball should really be "don't intentionally throw at players." I like that code a lot better.

Six runs is not even a huge lead. Team Canada has no bullpen.

4. boteman Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:02 PM (#4385705)

"Codebreaker!" - Andy Botwin

Where are all these unwritten rules written down? I mean, how's a brother supposed to know what they are???

5. Random Transaction Generator Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:06 PM (#4385713)

As a Blue Jays fan, I have a quick question for Jose Bautista:

When your time comes up in the top of the 9th in a game against the Orioles, and the Jays are ahead by 6 or 7 runs, does that mean you aren't going to try to hit a home run to add more runs to the score?

Oh, you ARE going to try?

Then shut the fuck up about this "code" bullsh!t.

6. Anonymous Observer Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:13 PM (#4385715)

“I’m not buying the fact that teams are bunting when they’re up by six because of the rules of the WBC,” Bautista told reporters Sunday morning.

“I believe in the unwritten rules of the game...

So the unwritten rules supersede the written rules? Since when?

7. Tschingsch Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:17 PM (#4385722)

If this "unwritten code" is so important, then why not just make the mercy rule part of MLB rules.

Why should the other team stop trying to win if you're not going to. Apparently the Pirates were supposed to stop trying to win this game.

8. Bitter Calculus Instructor Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:21 PM (#4385742)

[3] Tell team USA about Canada's lack of bullpen.

9. Anonymous Observer Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:23 PM (#4385744)

Why should the other team stop trying to win if you're not going to. Apparently the Pirates were supposed to stop trying to win this game.

I'll walk home.

10. Rennie's Tenet Posted: March 10, 2013 at 06:57 PM (#4385815)

I always liked Jose more than the average Pirate fan. It's nice to see that (i) he feels comfortable enough to pop off about something like this; and, (ii) someone actually listened.

11. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:01 PM (#4385818)

The question that's getting lost in all this: Since when the hell is bunting considered an effective means of running up the score??

12. Walt Davis Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:14 PM (#4385836)

Since when the hell is bunting considered an effective means of running up the score??

Real men make manly outs!

how's a brother supposed to know what they are???

If you have to ask, you ain't a brother. You might even be a Canadian.

13. Double-Spin Mechanic Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:16 PM (#4385840)

Since when the hell is bunting considered an effective means of running up the score??

When you catch the hotheaded, classless 3rd baseman napping. Forget the team, the score, the game. You embarrassed HIM.

14. Shock Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:21 PM (#4385849)

[3] Tell team USA about Canada's lack of bullpen.

Oh, they know.

15. bobm Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:22 PM (#4385851)

Jose Bautista: 35 Plate Appearances in Career-2012, during 9th Inning and up 4 or more runs:

.300 /.382 / .800
9-30, 4 HR, 6 RBI

16. StHendu Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:28 PM (#4385859)

I am very surprised that nobody was suspended or fined. Usually sports leagues hand out punishment far too easily and in this case it was reported that a player (Carl Iorg) 'angrily' threw a water bottle into the stands.

17. The Yankee Clapper Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:31 PM (#4385861)

Mexican pitcher Arnold Leon then hit the next batter, Toronto’s Rene Tosoni.

Bautista goes out of his way to criticize the National Team of the country he plays in, as well as justifying hitting one of his MLB teammates? Doesn't that violate the code? Maybe he wants to be traded.

18. JJ1986 Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:36 PM (#4385866)

Bautista goes out of his way to criticize the National Team of the country he plays in, as well as justifying hitting one of his MLB teammates? Doesn't that violate the code? Maybe he wants to be traded.

I think Tosoni is in Milwaukee camp. Toronto refers to his birthplace.

19. SoSH U at work Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:37 PM (#4385867)

Bautista goes out of his way to criticize the National Team of the country he plays in, as well as justifying hitting one of his MLB teammates?

Toronto isn't where he plays, it's where he's from.

Edit: Coke to JJ

To add something worthwhile, the difference here in these blowout (or perceived blowout) situations is choice. A bunt, hit-and-run, stolen base, etc. are strategic plays, and are frowned upon. They don't happen without the player/manager instructing choosing to put them on. In blowouts, players don't like the conscious decision to try to pile up more runs. Singles, doubles, walks, are just considered the byproduct of playing the game (you're not specifically trying to hit a double, you just do), and thus don't draw the ire of the opponent. You may occasionally find some instances that deviate from this, but generally speaking that's where the division exists.

Interestingly, as Elroy notes above*, eschewing these strategic decisions doesn't typically cost an offense any runs.

* Though a bunt for a base hit is different than a sac bunt in terms of offensive effectiveness.

20. bobm Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:41 PM (#4385870)

From the above PI run, all PA with 6+ run lead in 9th

6-15, 1 BB, 2 2B, 3 HR

                                                               
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp         Pitcher          Score
1       1   1 2004-04-16 BAL TOR     Terry Adams ahead 1-11 Out
2       2   1 2004-06-19 TBD ARI    Randy Choate ahead 4-10  SO
3       3   1 2004-07-22 KCR DET Danny Patterson ahead 7-13  2B

                                                            
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp       Pitcher         Score
10      5   1 2007-09-05 PIT STL Tyler Johnson ahead 2-8 Out

                                                               
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp         Pitcher          Score
12      2   1 2008-05-02 PIT WSN    Jesus Colome ahead 4-11 Out
13      3   1 2008-09-28 TOR BAL George Sherrill ahead 1-10  SO

                                                                 
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp            Pitcher         Score
14      1   1 2009-04-10 TOR CLE Masahide Kobayashi ahead 7-13 BB
15      2   1 2009-04-15 TOR MIN         Luis Ayala ahead 2-10 2B
16      3   1 2009-04-16 TOR MIN        Jesse Crain  ahead 2-9 SO
17      4   1 2009-04-24 TOR CHW    Clayton Richard ahead 0-13 HR
19      6   1 2009-09-15 TOR NYY          Mike Dunn  ahead 3-9 HR

                                                             
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp       Pitcher          Score
20      1   1 2010-07-20 TOR KCR  Victor Marte ahead 1-13  SO
22      3   1 2010-08-20 TOR BOS Tim Wakefield ahead 2-16 Out
24      5   1 2010-09-30 TOR MIN  Jose Mijares ahead 2-11  HR

                                                            
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp       Pitcher         Score
32      7   1 2011-08-18 TOR OAK Craig Breslow ahead 0-7 Out

                                                           
Cr#   Yr# Gm#       Date  Tm Opp       Pitcher        Score
35      3   1 2012-06-23 TOR MIA Edward Mujica ahead 1-7 1B

21. michaelplank Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:49 PM (#4385881)

...so the natural, logical response to the perception that the other team is trying to run up the score is to put another runner on base for free?

22. Greg (U)K Posted: March 10, 2013 at 07:56 PM (#4385885)

[3] Tell team USA about Canada's lack of bullpen.

Damn you reverse jinxer!

Just for that I'm going to stop telling people you're my favourite poster in political threads....I'll still think it, I just won't tell people.

Well, ok, I'll still tell people, it would just be plain rude not to, but I'll hesitate 3 seconds before doing so. Suck on that!

23. The Yankee Clapper Posted: March 10, 2013 at 08:02 PM (#4385890)

Bautista goes out of his way to criticize the National Team of the country he plays in, as well as justifying hitting one of his MLB teammates? Doesn't that violate the code? Maybe he wants to be traded.

I think Tosoni is in Milwaukee camp. Toronto refers to his birthplace

OK, so Bautista isn't a bad teammate, he just doesn't like Canadians.

24. Greg (U)K Posted: March 10, 2013 at 08:06 PM (#4385899)

OK, so Bautista isn't a bad teammate, he just doesn't like Canadians.

We don't like him either. He's barely hit any home runs for the Jays in the past five months. What a joke!

25. Ray (RDP)

Posted: March 10, 2013 at 08:38 PM (#4385919)

We'll stop trying to score as soon as you stop trying to come back on us. Deal?

26. RollingWave Posted: March 10, 2013 at 09:29 PM (#4385948)

To be fair, most of the Canadian players were pretty pretty competitive Hockey players too ;)

27. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide Posted: March 10, 2013 at 09:37 PM (#4385953)

In blowouts, players don't like the conscious decision to try to pile up more runs. Singles, doubles, walks, are just considered the byproduct of playing the game (you're not specifically trying to hit a double, you just do)

You could consciously stop at first.

28. Shock Posted: March 10, 2013 at 09:45 PM (#4385955)

You know, with a big lead in the ninth, all teams should be bunting all the time. Can't hit a HR if you're bunting. Doubles are hard too. And they should let the team know they are bunting so the 3B can come in nice and close. And they should distribute goody bags after the game to everyone and make sure everyone is happy.

29. Steve Parris, Je t'aime Posted: March 10, 2013 at 09:50 PM (#4385959)

I don't disagree with the general sentiment here, but let's not pretend that Robinson didn't have a motivation to show Mexico up. His takeout slide at second was pretty dirty, though justified given the Karim Garcia play at the plate. The bunt sure seemed like he wanted to continue to pay Mexico back for the Garcia collision.

30. SoSH U at work Posted: March 10, 2013 at 10:08 PM (#4385965)

You could consciously stop at first.

And I'd imagine that any guy really pushing to stretch a single into a double in the late innings of a blowout will get a few cross stares from the defensive unit.

31. streak of perros Posted: March 10, 2013 at 10:27 PM (#4385970)

Any of you ever play baseball for a living?

32. Walt Davis Posted: March 10, 2013 at 11:04 PM (#4385991)

Any of you ever play baseball for a living?

What, am I the only one who remembers my game-winning game 7 HR for the Cubs in 84? And you call yourselves baseball fans!

33. PreservedFish Posted: March 10, 2013 at 11:18 PM (#4386002)

Jose Bautista: 35 Plate Appearances in Career-2012, during 9th Inning and up 4 or more runs:

.300 /.382 / .800
9-30, 4 HR, 6 RBI

Is this supposed to be a gotcha? The point isn't that you stop trying with a big lead, it's that you stop trying in an annoying, tricky and hustly fashion.

34. bobm Posted: March 10, 2013 at 11:36 PM (#4386011)

Is this supposed to be a gotcha?

No. But when you slug .800 up big in the 9th inning, you don't need to bunt.

35. Coot Veal and Cot Deal make $486 every day Posted: March 11, 2013 at 12:19 AM (#4386024)

disturbing Canadian link

36. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: March 11, 2013 at 12:22 AM (#4386025)

Any of you ever play baseball for a living?

At least one guy around here has.

37. mathesond Posted: March 11, 2013 at 08:46 AM (#4386089)

disturbing Canadian link

Which of course cannot be viewed in Canada

38. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 11, 2013 at 08:55 AM (#4386096)

Disturbing Canadian links

39. Rusty Priske Posted: March 11, 2013 at 10:16 AM (#4386193)

I believe in the 'unwritten code' and I DO think trying to ratchet up the scoring in a game that is 'aready won' is a dick thing to do...

BUT...

In this tournament the teams are judged on Run Differential. Scoring 'extra' runs has NOTHING to do with showing the other team up and everything to do with trying to get through to the next round.

40. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: March 11, 2013 at 10:26 AM (#4386203)

What, am I the only one who remembers my game-winning game 7 HR for the Cubs in 84? And you call yourselves baseball fans!

I do remember listening to Harry Caray's call of the computer simulation of that game on WGN. I think it was called "The Game That Should Have Been." I think the Cubs won that game, so Harry and his computer recreated the Cubs beating the Orioles in the 1969 World Series too.

41. Neutral Milk Dotel (Dan Lee) Posted: March 11, 2013 at 10:35 AM (#4386208)

OK, so Bautista isn't a bad teammate, he just doesn't like Canadians.

Who does? They've got those floppy heads and non-stop fart humor.

42. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? Posted: March 11, 2013 at 12:45 PM (#4386301)

They've got those floppy heads and non-stop fart humor.

Shut your f***ing face, uncle f***er.

43. Double-Spin Mechanic Posted: March 11, 2013 at 04:01 PM (#4386480)

Any of you ever play baseball for a living?

For an education, but sadly not a living. Your point?

And BTW, everybody on the Canadian team has and they presumably disagree as well.

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Jose Bautista: Canada broke baseball’s code

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