Monday night, Ryan Braun hit a first-inning home run off of Jeff Karstens of the Pirates. Two innings and two bombs later (by Rickie Weeks and Mike Cameron, respectively), Braun wore a Karstens fastball in the middle of his back. It was the first pitch of the at-bat, so it appeared to be an intentional beanball. Both benches were warned by the umpiring crew and no Pirates were hit in retaliation for the rest of the game. According to Braun, though, that's not a sign the team has forgiven and forgotten.
"We play them about 17 more times (actually 13). Tell Mr. Selig, we'll see what happens. It's going to be interesting."I find a few angles of this interesting. First of all, as FanHouse's resident Pirates fan Pat Lackey pointed out to me, Karstens doesn't exactly rock a triple-digit fastball. Secondly, who do the Pirates really have that would enable the Brewers to send an equal message? The only one even remotely close to qualifying as a star player (Nate McLouth) is out for the series with an injury. Do you think the Pirates are really quaking in their boots at the thought of Freddy Sanchez or Adam LaRoche wearing one in the ribcage?
Finally, why specifically tip Bud Selig off? It's not exactly like the Brewers are rich with pitching. They don't need someone getting suspended while avenging the fact that Braun took an 80 mph heater in the back during a big victory.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-28-2009 @ 5:54PM
laffwriter said...
Why don't you ask Freddy Sanchez and Adam LaRoche THEIR thoughts. Ever been hit on the elbow by an 80 MPH slider, Matt? Stand on the plate at your local batting cage facility and let a few slower 70 MPH fastballs hit you. Wanna bet, you grab your bat and helmet after the FIRST one? Trust me, if Tim Wakefield hits you on the wrist with his worst knuckleball, you WON'T invite him to do it again. Nor would Prince Fielder. Watch him flinch at the first pitch thrown his way regardless of what spin he sees on it or what Pirate throws it, including Blackbeard.
Reply
4-28-2009 @ 6:31PM
the1jaskillz80 said...
I was going to let it bother me that a baseball blogger doesn't understand the importance of retaliation. Then I saw that it was a Snyder post and stereotypes of Cubs fans immediately came to mind... specifically: condescending, pretentious, pricks... and the ignorance makes sense. Sorry for going off-topic there...ooops.
Braun (and I'm assuming the rest of the team) believes it was ordered by Russell. Thus, there has to be retaliation otherwise Macha risks losing his team.
Reply
4-28-2009 @ 7:02PM
Matt Snyder said...
Please don't mistake my sarcastic tone. I totally agree there should have been retaliation. I'm very disappointed the umpire offered a warning immediately instead of allowing the Brewers to fire back.
I didn't say more because my (SPOILER ALERT) From the Windup column this week is going to be on this very topic.
4-28-2009 @ 6:43PM
Snee said...
Of course there should be retaliation, but why did the idiot have to say it publicly? Luckily for him, Selig won't do anything to his beloved Brewers.
As for you, laffwriter, i was hit by 23 pitches my senior year in college. Its not that big of a deal. I get tired of all the posturing these guys do after getting plunked. Just get down to first and be happy you're on base.
Reply
4-28-2009 @ 10:11PM
Kyle said...
battlin' bucs play hardball!
Reply
4-29-2009 @ 7:07AM
Laffwriter said...
You gotta be kiddin' SNEE, you were COUNTING how many times you were hit in your senior year at college? Didn't anyone tell you, you were supposed to stand in the batter's box, not ON THE PLATE! Ever think of going up there with a bat? Or do you remember because it was the only 23 times you got on base? (Being hit by whiffle balls doesn't count anyway.) Ever see the late Tony Conigliaro's eye, Snee? No one hit 23 times would say it was nothing. (Unless all 23 times were in the head. wink wink!)
Reply
4-29-2009 @ 6:29PM
Snee said...
You're right, I stood on top of the plate because i was a leadoff hitter and it got me on base. And, you're right, I wasn't that great. But at least I'm not the candy ass who is whining about how much it hurts to get hit by a pitch.
Reply