Trash Closing - The Current Trend?

[Max Power]

Last Wednesday (pretty sure it was Wed?) Willis Roberts came into a game against the Yankees and went wild on the mound after each out he recorded. His reaction was somewhat a cross between what you do if you just won the lotto, and at the same time, just found out that you were drinking urine instead of a Mike's hard lemonaide. Elated and angry - all at the same time.

Watching the highlights on SC this AM, I saw Steve Kline had a reaction very much the same, getting out of an inning v. the Reds.

Then, I started to think about some other current closers who usually yell/scream and showboat when they get the save - Benitez, Gagne, and, of course, the all-time current worst (IMHO) Urbina (who reacts to each out, much less save, as if he just won the W.S.).

Is this a trend in baseball that we should be worried about?

[TGwynn19]

I don't know if I am 'worried' about it as much as I am simply tired of seeing that stuff. Thank goodness Hoffman does not do that!!

[LeGrandOrange]

Originally posted by Max Power
His reaction was somewhat a cross between what you do if you just won the lotto, and at the same time, just found out that you were drinking urine instead of a Mike's hard lemonaide.

There's a difference between the two? *cowers*
I'm fortunate that Kazuhiro is unmenacingly jovial after a save...again, Durocher was wrong.
Doesn't Alfonseca do it a lot?

[JamesI]

I find it interesting that people complain about the relief pitcher showboating when they strike some one out when very few complain about what hitters do when they homer. I admit Willis Roberts is too obnoxious, but so are many hitters.

[soxfan121]

I like my short relievers to be slightly insane and very cocky. So, I don't really have a problem with the celebrating - I think it puts some of the passion, personality, and fire back in the game.

In an era when players from opposing teams laugh and joke with each other on the bases and during warmups - I'll take a little old fashioned competition and bravado. If the hitter feels shown up, then he can do something about it with the bat. But the fans of Urbina or Gagne go CRAZY for those last three outs - and those guys are performing on the mound.

Watching Gagne blow away 4 Red Sox batters in a row last Friday night, I found myself really rooting for the Sox to beat HIM. And when they couldn't (because, let's face it, the guy throws some nasty stuff) I was both impressed and mad. Impressed becuase he was so dominant - and mad because he showed my favorite team up. While I didn't like it, I had to respect it.

[sweaver]

I would like it if pitchers acted like they had gotten an out before. And hitters acted like they had hit a home run before.

This comparison to the NFL, baseball doesn't need.

[TGwynn19]

I guess I may be a bit contradictory about this. I have no problem with a hitter being mobbed at home plate after hitting a GW HR in the 9th. But I would have a problem with a closer being mobbed at the mound when he closes out a game. I guess I simply don't see getting an out or two in the ninth as being as dramatic as hitting a home run.

[JamesI]

I don't mind the players being mobbed for a game winning shot, just like a pitcher finishing a no hitter. But when hitters show off every home run, it gets as bad as Willis Roberts and others acting up for a strikeout,

[piaseczynski]

I think it is at least more palatable when this kind of behavior comes from someone that can back it up. But Willis Roberts? Please no.

In any event, it is not nearly as disturbing as that urine comment. That clearly needs to be investigated.

[sweaver]

Originally posted by TGwynn19
I guess I may be a bit contradictory about this. I have no problem with a hitter being mobbed at home plate after hitting a GW HR in the 9th. But I would have a problem with a closer being mobbed at the mound when he closes out a game. I guess I simply don't see getting an out or two in the ninth as being as dramatic as hitting a home run.

I agree.

[satchel]

James and others - we've discussed the offensive showboating (er... showboating by offensive players ... no, that's not quite it either ... hitter showboating) before. See this thread http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/...&threadid=4232 for example.

I'll paraphrase a comment I made in that thread, distinguishing among three types of actions that might be mentioned (1) spontaneous celebration of a dramatic and perhaps unexpected event, like a walkoff homer; (2) ritualistic, repeated celebratory motions, that occur each time a player completes a certain task, like hitting a home run; (3) actions that are spontaneous rather than ritualistic, but are intended to show up an opposing player, like taking an extra-slow homer trot.

Although the conversation in that thread was limited to hitters' displays, I think the same can be said for pitchers' displays. Excessive mound celebrations after every out recorded fall into category 2. Glaring at a batter after striking him out are category 3. Personally, I disapprove of both. A subtle fist pumping after recording a save may be alright, but the fact is a pitcher's business is recording outs, and celebrating like a wild man after each one is not only unsportsmanlike, but it makes the pitcher look as if he didn't think he could do it.

[Skip]

Well said (both times). I agree completely.

I love trash closing.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by Sheila
I love trash closing.

How come?

It's fun. It's done in football and the NBA, which are more popular than baseball.