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MLB

Johan Not Happy With Youkilis' Posturing

Posted May 23, 2009 3:24PM By Matt Snyder (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Mets, Red Sox, AL East, NL East

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Friday night, Kevin Youkilis got hit by a pitch from the hand of Mets' ace Johan Santana. After he was beaned, he stood in the box staring Santana down, and the incident nearly escalated into a brawl. There were two outs, nobody on base, and the count was 2-2. In fact, Youkilis had fouled off the previous two-strike pitch. Basically, there was no way the pitch was thrown intentionally. Here is Johan's take:



As if I didn't already make myself clear, I couldn't agree more. Santana tried to come inside on a two-strike count, and he missed. He has nothing to gain by putting a runner on base for Jason Bay with a one-run lead (it was 4-3 at the time), especially since he'd already struck Youkilis out twice in the game.

To be fair, Youk has admitted he knew Johan wasn't throwing at him intentionally. He claims he was joking around, though it didn't really appear to be a joking matter at the time. It's entirely possible he's trying to save face after the game because he knows he overreacted when in the heat of the moment. He even went as far as to say Santana takes the game far too seriously.
"Everyone always told me in my career you shouldn't be so serious. Enjoy the game and joke around. When I do do it, I change my ways and joke around a little bit, I guess it's the wrong thing. So what are you gonna do? You win some, you lose some."
I'm all for having fun on the field, but it doesn't seem like taking a heater to the ribcage or elbow (as was the case with Youkilis) is especially fun -- so I can see why Santana apparently misconstrued what Youkilis was trying to do. It does appear from some replays Youk wasn't overly angry. Generally speaking, though, the player getting hit with the pitch and staring down the pitcher is usually the one who is taking things a bit too seriously. Thus, it's easy to see why Santana jumped to the conclusion he did.

Athletes Losing Their Temper

    New York Mets ace Johan Santana was fuming at Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis for staring him down after Santana hit him with a pitch during Friday night's game. The incident nearly escalated into a brawl, but no punches were thrown. Click through for more memorable examples of athletes losing their temper.

    Charles Krupa, AP

    Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward was caught by complete surprise when Carolina Hurricanes right wing Scott Walker punched him in the face during a playoff game on May 10. Ward suffered a bruised orbital bone courtesy of Walker, who was fined $2,500.

    Charles Krupa, AP

    Houston guard Aubrey Coleman stepped on Arizona's Chase Budinger during a game in January. Coleman, who denied the act was intentional, was was ejected from the game and served a suspension.

    Michael Ignatov, Arizona Daily Wildcat

    While a fight in the NBA may seem commonplace, it's very rare in the WNBA. Still, that didn't stop the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks from making combatant history on July 22. Ten players, as well as Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn, center, were suspended by the league because of the melee.

    Jerry S. Mendoza, AP

    Prince Fielder had to be held back by his teammates after an altercation with starting pitcher Manny Parra during a Milwaukee Brewers loss to the Cincinnati Reds last year.

    Al Behrman, AP

    In November 2004, Ron Artest took center stage in a game between the Pacers and Pistons for all the wrong reasons. After he was struck by a cup of beer, Artest ran into the seats and confronted a fan. Following the ugliest brawl in NBA history, Artest was suspended 73 games.

    Duane Burleson, AP

    Mike Tyson's life has had many tumultuous moments, but the one that trumps them all was truly gruesome. In a bout against Evander Holyfield in June 1997, Tyson bit a chunk from the former champ's ear and was disqualified for his carnal actions.

    Jeff Haynes, AFP / Getty Images

    Roberto Alomar put his pristine reputation aside for a heated exchange with umpire John Hirschbeck in 1996. Alomar, who alleged that Hirschbeck uttered a racial slur, spat in the umpire's face following a disputed strike call. He was suspended for five games. The two publicly apologized for the clash a year later.

    Moe Doiron, AP

    Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal (27) had a notorious exchange with Johnny Roseboro in 1965. After heated words, he clubbed Roseboro's unprotected head with his bat and the benches cleared for a 14-minute brawl. Marichal was ejected and suspended for nine days. Roseboro needed 14 stitches to close his head wound.

    Robert H. Houston, AP

    The low point of NBA coach P.J. Carlesimo's stint with the Warriors was the notorious attack by Latrell Sprewell (pictured) during a 1997 practice. Sprewell choked Carlesimo and threatened to kill him until being pulled off by teammates. Sprewell was suspended for 82 games, though that was later reduced.

    Susan Ragan, AP

Tags: johan+santana, JohanSantana, kevin+youkilis, KevinYoukilis

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