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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

MLB: Tempers flare in Yanks-Rays matchup

I’ve had it up to here, here, and here with the Duncan family.

One day after Yankees manager Joe Girardi insisted his club would not retaliate for a violent home-plate collision in Saturday’s game against the Rays, both clubs spilled onto the field at Progress Energy Park in a bench-clearing incident Wednesday.

In the first inning, Yankees starter Heath Phillips was ejected for throwing an up-and-in fastball to Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, grazing the batter and earning an immediate thumb from home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild.

Girardi vehemently protested Phillips’ ejection, at one point raising his hands to the air. Right-hander Steven Jackson relieved Phillips with two outs in the first inning.

In the home half of the first, the Yankees’ Shelley Duncan escalated the incident by sliding hard into second base, clearing both benches. Play halted for several minutes as the two clubs engaged in shoving, and at least one punch appeared to be thrown.

Duncan, Yankees third-base coach Bobby Meacham, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long and Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes were ejected following the incident.

Repoz Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:25 PM | 169 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: rays, yankees

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   1. Repoz Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:30 PM (#2711314)
From Pete LoHud...

Shelley Duncan (of course) started the top of the second with a single. He tried to go to second as the ball rolled behind third base and was out by five feet. Duncan slid in with his spikes exceedingly high at Akinori Iwamura and was tagged out. He was immediately ejected.
   2. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:34 PM (#2711321)
Boy, the race for second place in the AL East is really going to be one to watch this year.

[On edit: the one-liner about Rocco Baldelli throwing a punch, missing, and then lying down to take a nap has been deleted in the interest of good taste.]
   3. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:35 PM (#2711323)
Billy Crystal has decided to just give his AB a miss
   4. Mister High Standards Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:37 PM (#2711327)
Stay classy bronx bombers.
   5. jamcadbury Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:39 PM (#2711330)
Girardi's Yankees career is off to a great start.
   6. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:41 PM (#2711333)
"Girardi vehemently protested Phillips’ ejection, at one point raising his hands to the air."

Contrary to some reports, however, he did not wave them like he just didn't care.
   7. The Good Face Posted: March 12, 2008 at 06:43 PM (#2711334)
[On edit: the one-liner about Rocco Baldelli throwing a punch, missing, and then lying down to take a nap has been deleted in the interest of good taste.]


To hell with good taste. Next you'll be telling us the Rays are cancelling the Rocco Baldelli "Siesta Time" bobbleheads, complete with removable sombrero.
   8. TVerik Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:03 PM (#2711351)
Duncan, Yankees third-base coach Bobby Meacham, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long and Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes were ejected following the incident.

Was Meacham wearing a helmet? I would expect a coach to mix it up with the kids on a more level playing field if they're already dressed for hijinks.
   9. Sam M. Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:03 PM (#2711353)
New manager, new stadium on the way . . . the Yankees need a new rival. None of this old-school, last-century nonsense with Red Sox Nation. It's Devil Rays, baby, all the way. A 21st century rival for Joba, Phil, Robby Cano and the gang. And they don't wait for the regular season or anything so boring as that. Clear those benches in MARCH!
   10. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:03 PM (#2711355)
This wouldn't have happened if Joe Torre was still alive.
   11. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:06 PM (#2711358)
ext you'll be telling us the Rays are cancelling the Rocco Baldelli "Siesta Time" bobbleheads, complete with removable sombrero.


and also with dysfunctional mitochondria
   12. Matt Waters Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:08 PM (#2711361)
You know… if you think that takeout maneuver by Johnson wasn’t dirty, I really have to disagree. Cervilli wasn’t blocking the whole plate. Watch the highlight. Johnson seemed to be looking for contact, and Crawford clobbering the Astros’ catcher a week earlier indicates a team-wide strategy. Not cool, man. Yogi Berra said he was never knocked down once in Spring Training, and that was back in a more hard boiled era.

I’m not saying what Duncan did was right. It’s spring training. Save the retaliation for when the games count, or just let it go. But let’s not pretend this is ALL the Yankees fault. And it definitely isn’t over, unfortunately. Or fortunately, if you’re a base-brawl connoisseur.
   13. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:14 PM (#2711365)
"Girardi vehemently protested Phillips’ ejection, at one point raising his hands to the air."

Contrary to some reports, however, he did not wave them like he just didn't care.


Primey.
   14. Ray (RDP) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:14 PM (#2711366)
You know… if you think that takeout maneuver by Johnson wasn’t dirty, I really have to disagree. Cervilli wasn’t blocking the whole plate. Watch the highlight.


I basically agree, but at the same time both players are trying to impress management; you can't expect Johnson to tiptoe into home plate, or Cervilli not to block some portion of the plate.

The real problem here is the idiotic aspect of the game where collisions are permitted at home plate.

I do like how Shelley Duncan, who has been in the majors for something like 6 hours, was the ringleader.
   15. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:15 PM (#2711367)
I do find it appropriate that the hitting coach was apparently out there punching people.

The Pirates hitting coach used to be Dave Clark, who in his younger days, was a boxer.
   16. Mister High Standards Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:16 PM (#2711370)
Philips was the ring leader. Headhunter.
   17. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:19 PM (#2711371)
"Or fortunately, if you’re a base-brawl connoisseur."

Question for the floor: What's your favorite brawl?

Mine's probably the time when Jason Kendall kicked Gary Sheffield in the mouth, during a dispute at home plate.
   18. Bull Pain Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:21 PM (#2711374)
I enjoyed when Mark Whiten knocked the #### out of Jack McDowell.
   19. Ray (RDP) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:22 PM (#2711376)
Question for the floor: What's your favorite brawl?


Robin Ventura being pummeled by Nolan Ryan has to be up there.

Zimmer charging Pedro.

Izzy Alcantara, though that was in the minors.
   20. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:23 PM (#2711378)
Billy Martin vs. a bottle of vodka. Pure brutality.
   21. Boots Day Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:24 PM (#2711380)
The Padres-Braves game-long melee back in the 1980s was a classic, with Pascual Perez getting thrown at like five times, and Ed Whitson coming out of the clubhouse in the ninth inning with no shirt on.
   22. Mister High Standards Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:28 PM (#2711383)
1) Fisk kicking Munson and Michaels ass at the same time.
2) Varitek treating A-rod like the blue lipped ##### that he is.
   23. Lassus Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:30 PM (#2711386)
Chicago vs. Disco
   24. xdog Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:31 PM (#2711387)
Boots, that was the game where all that stood between Perez, perched in the dugout, and dismemberment by Champ Summers was Bob Horner.

Meanwhile, on the field the brawl raged on.
   25. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:31 PM (#2711389)
I do like how Shelley Duncan, who has been in the majors for something like 6 hours, was the ringleader.

Apparently before the games started this spring, Girardi gave Duncan explicit instructions not to run over the catcher, and I assume in general play easy. He's said a couple of times that all the restrictions he was playing with were off now. It was pretty clear he wanted to sort this out his way. I really hope this attitude doesn't get anyone hurt and that it doesn't create a issue between Duncan et al and the more peaceful types (Abreu, Jeter, Cano) in the clubhouse like it did when Chad Curtis ran his mouth.

Question for the floor: What's your favorite brawl?

Darryl Strawberry's leaping super punch into the Orioles dugout to get Armando Benitez after Graeme Lloyd knocked the crap out of Benitez on the field.
   26. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:33 PM (#2711390)
I've always enjoyed Nettles operating under the impression that a baseball fight was a pro wrestling match with Bill Lee. Buddy Harrelson and Pete Rose out at 2nd base is good too, wins originality points.
   27. meatwad Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:35 PM (#2711394)
the farnsworth fight against the reds player, i cant remember who it was but he got his ass kicked by the ############
   28. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#2711395)
The Pirates hitting coach used to be Dave Clark, who in his younger days, was a boxer.

Your destination was face down on the ground
When he was done bringing the Dave Clark Five around.

Favorite brawl: Randall Simon vs. Italian Sausage.
   29. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#2711396)
Nobody's mentioned the Nolan Ryan-Robin Ventura noogie-fest yet?
   30. pirates22000 Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:37 PM (#2711398)
Wasn't that the same fight where Alan Mills basically cold-cocked Strawberry?
   31. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:37 PM (#2711399)
Nobody's mentioned the Nolan Ryan-Robin Ventura noogie-fest yet?

Post 19.

Anyone find a video of this fight on line yet? I wanna see how Gomes executed his ambush.
   32. Hubie Brooks (Not Really) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:38 PM (#2711400)
Ray Knight giving Eric Davis and nice right cross to the chin is my favortie.
   33. Slivers of Maranville (SdeB) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:44 PM (#2711402)
Yogi Berra said he was never knocked down once in Spring Training, and that was back in a more hard boiled era.

That just goes to show how tough Yogi was. Nobody could knock him down.
   34. Bob Dernier Cri Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:45 PM (#2711403)
Guillermo Mota running away from Mike Piazza is one of my favorites.
   35. DKDC Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:46 PM (#2711404)
Darryl Strawberry's leaping super punch into the Orioles dugout to get Armando Benitez after Graeme Lloyd knocked the crap out of Benitez on the field.

Where I come from we call Strawberry's "leaping super punch" a "sucker punch".

Wasn't that the same fight where Alan Mills basically cold-cocked Strawberry?

Yes, Strawberry fell over after his awkward punch on Benitez, and Alan made him pay.
   36. unemployed Jeff Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:47 PM (#2711406)
Mo Vaughn's interception of George Bell was kinda awesome.
   37. Repoz Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:52 PM (#2711412)
I really hope this attitude doesn't get anyone hurt and that it doesn't create a issue between Duncan et al and the more peaceful types (Abreu, Jeter, Cano) in the clubhouse like it did when Chad Curtis ran his mouth

Shelley Duncan has been called the dirtiest player in the minors...so this is not coming as a surprise.

And If the Yankees need this sunken-eyed Lurch looking mofo to fire them up...lordy.

Plus his old-man, when not busy enableboozin', is tearing up Sabermetric reports before the pitchers even get them.

Quite the baseball family...
   38. Kiko Sakata Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:53 PM (#2711413)
the farnsworth fight against the reds player, i cant remember who it was but he got his ass kicked by the ############


The Reds player was Paul Wilson, and I'll second the vote for this as best baseball fight.
   39. meatwad Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:55 PM (#2711414)
thats right, i remember hearing it on the radio first then seeing the video later. the body slam to start it off was great
   40. Joe Bivens, Idiot Posted: March 12, 2008 at 07:58 PM (#2711416)
Can't they all just get along?
   41. MikeinMI Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:00 PM (#2711420)
I submit Rod Allen vs Japan
Rod Allen
   42. Repoz Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:01 PM (#2711422)
   43. depletion Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:03 PM (#2711424)
Tim Teufel got a very good right cross on Rob Dibble, around 1989 or so.
Rob Dibble is an idiot.
   44. Dr Love Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:05 PM (#2711426)
Not already named:

Chan Ho Park vs Darren Erstad

Kyle Farnsworth vs Paul Wilson

There was a great brawl between Scranton/Wilkes Barre and Columbus 6 years ago, my buddy was working for the Red Barons at the time and said at one point a guy who was escorted off the field came back onto the field with baseballs in his hands and pockets and tried to bean people with them. It started when, after Marlon Byrd had been beaned a few times in the series, Brett Myers, who was pitching but in the dugout since the Red Barons were up to bat, said to Drew Henson, who was leading off the next inning, "you're next."
   45. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:05 PM (#2711428)
Where I come from we call Strawberry's "leaping super punch" a "sucker punch".

Sucker punches don't usually come from someone who is stretched out horizontally in mid-air. I don't really see it as a sucker punch since it happened during a fight that Benitez started and then ran away from.

Yes, Strawberry fell over after his awkward punch on Benitez, and Alan made him pay.

That'll happen when you attack someone in his dugout.

I can't get the Rod Allen link to work.

Repoz, that picture looks bad, that's pretty dick of Duncan to go that high with the spikes. Yeah, someone should get him under control asap, can't have someone that unimportant starting #### like this.
   46. villageidiom Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:06 PM (#2711429)
Randy Johnson's fastball vs. a bird.

*Phoof!*

Feathers everywhere.
   47. Styles P. Deadball Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:07 PM (#2711431)
I've always had a soft spot for the Shawon Dunston haymaker against Andy McGaffigan that didn't connect, sending the shortstop right over the pitcher's back. It was as good a fight as most considering the style points for the punch.
   48. Repoz Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:08 PM (#2711432)
Duncan play ‘flat-out dirty’

Most of the Rays’ starters are out of the game now and their opinions on Shelley Duncan’s bench-clearing slide into Aki Iwamura in the second inning were unanimous.

“Dirty play,” said B.J. Upton. “Just a flat-out dirty play. Period.”

...Troy Percival was in the clubhouse for the play, but he saw the spike marks visible on Iwamura’s uniform pants, above his knee on the inside of the leg, and wasn’t happy. “You’re just going out there, spikes high, trying to put them into somebody?” said Percival. “There’s no room in baseball for that kind of stuff. Ty Cobb’s been gone a long time.”

Like others in the clubhouse, Percival expressed surprise that the Yankees would be involved in a play like that. “It’s not typical of them, that’s for sure,” said Percival. “They’ve always been a professional organization. They’ve always played hard and they’ve always played smart. I won’t say that about today’s game.”
.
   49. Joe Bivens, Idiot Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:08 PM (#2711434)
Julian Tavarez smacking Joey Gathright was a very silly thing to do.
   50. Dr Love Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:09 PM (#2711435)
Randy Johnson's fastball vs. a bird.


Bat vs Tommy Lasorda.
   51. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:13 PM (#2711438)
2) Varitek treating A-rod like the blue lipped ##### that he is.

He pushed him in the face. He couldn't even tackle him when he took the first shot. Varitek looked feeble to most impartial observers.
   52. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:16 PM (#2711440)
Oh, and Duncan was at fault here. Let the pitcher hit someone between the numbers. Thats the punishment.
   53. Chip Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:18 PM (#2711442)
Duncan's just following A-Rod's cues from last year.
   54. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:18 PM (#2711443)
From Repoz's link:

“That was sort of second nature,” he said. “I was taught from T-ball all the way up to have your teammate’s back. With that guy trying to hurt a teammate, I just acted how I acted.”

I couldn't tell, reading quickly, whether that was Duncan or Gomes talking. I'm sure Gomes missed all the delicious irony in that comment.

Equally stupid defense for equally stupid behavior.
   55. The Good Face Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:22 PM (#2711446)
Repoz, that picture looks bad, that's pretty dick of Duncan to go that high with the spikes. Yeah, someone should get him under control asap, can't have someone that unimportant starting #### like this.


It's stupid to be starting stuff in spring training, but if the Yankees are going to start trouble, Duncan's exactly the guy who should be starting it, since he's a big, strong guy who's health isn't particularly important to the Yankee's 2008 title chances. Joe Torre was often criticized for not retaliating and for his teams lacking passion... looks like Girardi is trying to bring back some Billy Martin-style old school baseball.
   56. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:27 PM (#2711447)
It's stupid to be starting stuff in spring training, but if the Yankees are going to start trouble, Duncan's exactly the guy who should be starting it, since he's a big, strong guy who's health isn't particularly important to the Yankee's 2008 title chances. Joe Torre was often criticized for not retaliating and for his teams lacking passion... looks like Girardi is trying to bring back some Billy Martin-style old school baseball.

Except that I don't think they're going to hit Duncan, they're going to hit Jeter and A-rod, who already get hit by a lot of pitches, Jeter is particurlarly prone to getting hit in the hands.

On top of that, I'm ok with retaliating, that's part of baseball and I think the Yanks have been too passive in the past. But this isn't a retaliation, this is simply starting something, for a lame ass reason, in spring training. Bringing back the edge to the team is one thing, spiking Iwamura in the nuts is another IMO.
   57. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:29 PM (#2711449)
well, I think it is retaliation. The yankees feel they were wronged on Saturday, when the devil rays sent a catcher to the surgeon's table.
   58. aleskel Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:35 PM (#2711454)
2) Varitek treating A-rod like the blue lipped ##### that he is.

He pushed him in the face. He couldn't even tackle him when he took the first shot. Varitek looked feeble to most impartial observers.


Am I the only one who remembers ARod throwing Veritek into a solid headlock after he was shoved? Its cute to portray ARod as a wuss, but ... jeez, would YOU want to get in a fight with him?
   59. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:37 PM (#2711455)
well, I think it is retaliation. The yankees feel they were wronged on Saturday, when the devil rays sent a catcher to the surgeon's table.

I just don't feel like that's retaliation worthy since it was a clean play. It's also stupid. If you're upset about your guy getting hurt in spring training starting #### with another team is not the way to ensure the safety of the rest of your players.
   60. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:39 PM (#2711456)
but the yankees feel like they were wronged, and I bet some people in MLB would side with them.

Was it clean, in spring training?
   61. The Good Face Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:43 PM (#2711458)
Except that I don't think they're going to hit Duncan, they're going to hit Jeter and A-rod, who already get hit by a lot of pitches, Jeter is particurlarly prone to getting hit in the hands.


Yeah, I hate that A-Rod gets thrown at as much as he does, but teams have been throwing at him for ages. He led the league in HBP last year with peace lovin' Joe Torre leading the team. How much worse can it get? On the bright side, A-Rod's durability has been just as good as his other skills.
   62. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:44 PM (#2711459)
Not the greatest brawl, but the best move within the context of a brawl:
July 1987, Indians-Royals. The previous game had been nasty, too. Ken Schrom sent Willie Wilson sprawling with a pitch near the head. Wilson got up and hit a flyball out. Wilson jogged to first, loped lazily around the bag, and then suddenly dropped his shoulders in a football tackle stance and ran full speed into the small of Schrom's back. Schrom never saw him coming; when Wilson hit him, he looked like a half-opened pocket knife. Seeing the Cleveland infielders trying to chase and catch Willie Wilson, who had a sprinting headstart on them all, was precious.
   63. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:44 PM (#2711460)
but the yankees feel like they were wronged, and I bet some people in MLB would side with them.

Was it clean, in spring training?


So when do they stop retaliating? After they hit the guy? After they spike the second baseman? After they kill Crawford's first born son?

Yes, I think it's clean. Is it dumb? Is it out of place in spring training? Does it unneccesarily put everyone involved at risk? Do I think Maddon might have a screw lose? Yes, yes, yes and yes. But it's at least in the gray area, which is something you just can't say about what Duncan did. That was dirty.
   64. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:47 PM (#2711462)
So when do they stop retaliating?

Well, it should be done now.
   65. Wahoo Werewolf Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:53 PM (#2711467)
Duncan's play was dirty
   66. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:54 PM (#2711468)
Just curious, who is calling it clean?
   67. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:57 PM (#2711470)
Am I the only one who remembers ARod throwing Varitek into a solid headlock after he was shoved?

Please don't ruin the official story with distracting details.
   68. Wahoo Werewolf Posted: March 12, 2008 at 08:59 PM (#2711471)
Duncan's play was bush

The Yanks should have taken care of it in the bottom of the 1st and busted someone
either on the hip or between the numbers

Girardi dropped the ball on this one
   69. Cowboy Popup Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:00 PM (#2711472)
Well, it should be done now.

I hope so, but I'm pretty sure Duncan is going to get thrown at, at which point I will support the Yanks retaliating, but after hitting Longoria already, all of this was totally unnneccesary.
   70. standuptriple Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:05 PM (#2711473)
The was a good one @ Candlestick vs the Braves. Can't remember when exactly, but the benches cleared a couple times. Both when my buddy was getting beer/food. Haw-haw!
   71. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:06 PM (#2711475)
"Seeing the Cleveland infielders trying to chase and catch Willie Wilson, who had a sprinting headstart on them all, was precious."

That's awesome.

"I hope so, but I'm pretty sure Duncan is going to get thrown at, at which point I will support the Yanks retaliating, but after hitting Longoria already, all of this was totally unnneccesary."

Why would you support retaliation there? Longoria getting hit washes out any problem from the home plate collision, and a Duncan HBP would wash out any problem from the play at second. Problem solved.
   72. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:07 PM (#2711476)
Man, Duncan is ugly.
   73. John M. Perkins Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:09 PM (#2711478)
I've hated brawls ever since:
"[May 22,] 1995 - The Durham Bulls and Winston-Salem Warthogs engage in a brawl that takes more than 30 minutes to sort out. 10 players ejected are ejected from the Carolina League game. Winston-Salem P Glen Cullop is knocked unconscious in the melee which occurs on "Strike Out Domestic Violence Night." A total of $6,000 in fines is levied, and 124 games in suspensions."
Baseball-Reference
   74. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:19 PM (#2711482)
Its cute to portray ARod as a wuss, but ... jeez, would YOU want to get in a fight with him?


Nope, I'd hate to have to explain the makeup smudges on my shirt to my wife. I doubt she'd believe me about how I got them.

BTW ... no love for George Bell's kung fu fighting with Bruce Kison?

Best Regards

John
   75. winnipegwhip Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:25 PM (#2711485)
Tigers vs White Sox at Comiskey on a Saturday in early 2000.
   76. Jim Wisinski Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:25 PM (#2711486)
I hope so, but I'm pretty sure Duncan is going to get thrown at, at which point I will support the Yanks retaliating, but after hitting Longoria already, all of this was totally unnneccesary.


Actually I doubt that Duncan will get hit, unless he does something else in the future. Gomes taking him down should take care of any feelings about going after Duncan in the future.
   77. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:29 PM (#2711492)
"Gomes taking him down should take care of any feelings about going after Duncan in the future."

Naw, once everybody gets out on the field, that's a push.
   78. salvomania Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:37 PM (#2711494)
A great brawl was the 1974 Cubs and Cardinals game in which Bill Madlock took exception to Al Hrabosky's "Mad Hungarian" act and kept stepping out of the box each time Hrabosky would finally step up to the rubber.

The umpire told Madlock to stay in the batter's box, but Madlock kept stepping out.

Finally, the ump ordered Hrabosky to pitch and the pitch would be called an automatic strike if Madlock wasn't in the box. So Hrabosky winds up, and just as he's delivering the pitch Madlock gets into the batter's box, and the pitch is right at his head. Simmons and Madlock exchange words, and then they just go at it, and both benches empty. Just a fantastic brawl because of the escalating tension throughout the at-bat.

What I can't figure out from the photo is why Jose Cardenal seems like he's joining Madlock in the batter's box....

[EDIT: in fact, there appear to be three Cubs within 5 feet of home plate as the pitch is caught by Simmons...]
   79. Big Train Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:37 PM (#2711495)
Just so I am clear, if the GayRod and the makeup comments are an attack on ARod, what is the underlying criticism here, that he is gay? And if, in fact, he is a homosexual, he is worthy of scorn from the internet message board posters?

Is that correct?
   80. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:37 PM (#2711496)
Didn't some guy once charge Bruce Kison and Kison used karate on him? I want to say that it was George Bell.
   81. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:44 PM (#2711501)
Just so I am clear, if the GayRod and the makeup comments are an attack on ARod, what is the underlying criticism here, that he is gay? And if, in fact, he is a homosexual, he is worthy of scorn from the public?


Nah ... I just hate guys prettier than me.

Best Regards

John
   82. galaxieboi Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:45 PM (#2711502)
I think Duncan has some kinda 'A Boy Named Sue' issues going on here. Perhaps he and his father need to have a knife fight in the mud to settle this.
   83. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:49 PM (#2711503)
The Padres-Braves game-long melee back in the 1980s was a classic, with Pascual Perez getting thrown at like five times, and Ed Whitson coming out of the clubhouse in the ninth inning with no shirt on.

I remember reading about that one...didn't the Braves pitchers keep missing Perez, and the parade of pitchers and managers/interim managers got ejected every time?
   84. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:55 PM (#2711504)
A fellow named Kison or some wise may have, unless my memory deceives me, entered into an Oriental-style fracas with Juan Bell's brother, with the latter emerging quite the worse for wear.
   85. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:59 PM (#2711506)
Just so I am clear, if the GayRod and the makeup comments are an attack on ARod, what is the underlying criticism here, that he is gay? And if, in fact, he is a homosexual, he is worthy of scorn from the internet message board posters?

I don't want to speak for anybody, but I believe the issue is that homosexuals are natural shortstops. If A-Rod is gay, he's clearly out of position.

(Any interpretation that would infer a derogatory view of homosexuals has to be erroneous, because all of us know that such a sentiment would be completely unfounded, juvenile and classless. And totally unwelcome. Am I right?)
   86. Rich Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:03 PM (#2711508)
The Yankees merely had to draw a line, which they did.
   87. Rough Carrigan Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:12 PM (#2711512)
#72. Duncan looks like a young Uncle Leo from Seinfeld.
   88. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:16 PM (#2711513)
The Yankees merely had to draw a line, which they did.
Whuh?

The HBP is a perfectly normal response to a perceived slight.

Spiking the shortstop in the crotch, after the HBP had already evened the score, is thuggery.
   89. Boogie Nights Powell Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:17 PM (#2711514)
Andre Dawson, Cubs, & Eric Show, Padres. Dawson went wild.
   90. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:17 PM (#2711515)
Crispix, man, my Canadian comprehension skills are poor.
   91. Boots Day Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM (#2711517)
I remember reading about that one...didn't the Braves pitchers keep missing Perez, and the parade of pitchers and managers/interim managers got ejected every time?

That's the one. According to this, the game was August 12, 1984, and there were brawls in the second, fifth, eighth and ninth innings, with 14 ejections. Perez hit the first batter of the game, Alan Wiggins, then ended up getting thrown at in each of his four at-bats. Three Padres managers got tossed: Dick Williams, Ozzie Virgil and Jack Krol.
   92. Rich Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM (#2711518)
Spiking the shortstop in the crotch, after the HBP had already evened the score, is thuggery.


Oh please, it has been happening in MLB forever.
   93. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:31 PM (#2711520)
I didn't say it was a brand-new form of thuggery, invented just today by Shelley Duncan. I agree that it's something that lots of bush-league jackasses have pulled in MLB.
   94. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:32 PM (#2711521)
thats right ... 1984 beatches!
   95. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:35 PM (#2711522)
Copyright New York Times Company Jun 24, 1985

Ernie Whitt hit his first career grand slam, and Rance Mulliniks had a two-run homer today as the Blue Jays routed the Boston Red Sox, 8-1, in a game marred by a brawl.

Dave Stieb (7-5) did not allow a hit until Marty Barrett's leadoff single in the sixth. Stieb struck out five and walked three while dropping his American League-leading earned run average to 2.09. Stieb and Dennis Lamp combined on a six-hitter.

A brawl erupted in the fourth inning after Bruce Kison (3-2), the Red Sox starter, hit George Bell in the helmet with a pitch. Bell, the fifth hit batsman in the four-game series, charged the mound and kicked Kison in the stomach. The Toronto outfielder then punched the catcher Rich Gedman, who was pursuing him to the mound, and both benches cleared. After nine minutes of pushing and shoving, Bell was ejected.
   96. Rich Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:39 PM (#2711523)
I didn't say it was a brand-new form of thuggery, invented just today by Shelley Duncan. I agree that it's something that lots of bush-league jackasses have pulled in MLB.


I just watched the video. Duncan did not appear, at least from my admittedly biased Yankee fanboy p.o.v., to be attempting to injure the guy; he seemed to merely be sending a message.

If that bush-league jackass, to borrow your words, Maddon hadn't instructed his players to barrel full speed into prone catchers in meaningless ST games, none of this would have happened.
   97. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:40 PM (#2711524)
watching the highlights, its clear that Duncan's intent was to injury somebody. I do hope that the Rays retaliate, hopefully putting a Yankee regular on the DL for while.

make no bones about it, this is all Joe Girardi's doing too.

enjoy 3rd place Yankee fans
   98. Rich Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:47 PM (#2711525)
watching the highlights, its clear that Duncan's intent was to injury somebody. I do hope that the Rays retaliate, hopefully putting a Yankee regular on the DL for while.


This post reveals more about you than anything about baseball.

Rest assured, if Duncan's intent was to injure, he would have injured someone.
   99. cal Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:47 PM (#2711526)
A fellow named Kison or some wise may have, unless my memory deceives me, entered into an Oriental-style fracas with Juan Bell's brother, with the latter emerging quite the worse for wear.

this is one of my favorite sentences of all time.
   100. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 10:55 PM (#2711529)
If that bush-league jackass, to borrow your words, Maddon hadn't instructed his players to barrel full speed into prone catchers in meaningless ST games, none of this would have happened.
Wow. This is such foolish thing to say, as if Maddon premeditated these attacks on Francisco Cervelli. Your boy was blocking the plate, and in response got barreled over. That's what happens when you block the plate. You can't block the plate and not expect to get run over. If he wasn't blocking the plate and he got run over, then your argument would have some merit. But you can't have your cake and it eat it too. By which I mean that blocking the plate is a maneuver used by catchers to prevent runs. If you don't want your catcher to get knocked over, then you have to concede runs scoring.
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