Tigers-Royals Fight

[NetShrine]

Anyone see the clips from the fight last night in KC? Thoughts?

I would love to know what Weaver said to Sweeney to set him off - - by many, many, accounts Mike Sweeney is one of the nicest guys in baseball.

[NetShrine]

I want Weaver to watch the replay and then claim he said nothing. What a liar!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Mike Sweeney turned into a real slugger Friday night.

Sweeney delivered another hard hit, charging the mound and throwing Jeff Weaver to the ground before the Detroit right-hander even threw a pitch as the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 7-3.

Numerous punches were thrown as the benches and bullpens cleared in the sixth inning. There was a 12-minute delay and Sweeney, Royals pitching coach Al Nipper and Detroit bench coach Doug Mansolino were ejected.

"I wish that it never happened. But in the same breath, he called me out," Sweeney said. "I've always been taught to respect the game and play the game hard. I thought he crossed the line tonight."

The problems began as Sweeney got ready to bat with two outs and a runner on second base. He asked plate umpire Mike Fichter to have Weaver move the resin bag from a distracting spot on the top of the mound.

Replays showed that Weaver said something to Sweeney and turned his back. Sweeney threw his batting helmet at the pitcher and rushed the mound.

Sweeney is regarded as one of the more mild-mannered players in baseball while the 6-foot-5 Weaver worked as a security guard at an April taping of the "Jerry Springer Show."

Sweeney said he charged after Weaver called him profane names.

"It's something I've never done before and it's something I'm not proud of. But I had to do it," Sweeney said. "Weaver is a talented young pitcher, but I'd like to see him respect the game more. Tonight, what he did was uncalled for and I did what I did."

Weaver, on the other hand, claims he said nothing to Sweeney.

"I told the umpire that I was not moving the resin bag because I didn't put it there," he said. "(Sweeney) saw me walk away from the mound and then I saw a helmet being thrown at me. If I had (said something controversial) I would have kept an eye on him. I turned around and a helmet is being fired at me."

"He has no problems hitting me, so I don't know what the whole deal was," he said.

Players, coaches and Kansas City manager Tony Muser got into the fray.

As things started to slow down, Muser and Tigers outfielder Wendell Magee began exchanging words. As more punches were thrown, several players went after Sweeney, who had been pulled from the mass of players.

Each manager, naturally, defended his players.

"When Michael Sweeney tells me something, I take it as gospel," Muser said. "Weaver messes around with the resin bag and then lays it up near the rubber, where it is distracting.

"Michael asked him to move it down. When he asked to have it put down the second time, Weaver said something to him, and that's when Michael went."

Detroit manager Phil Garner called it "the most vicious thing I've ever seen."

"It was without provocation, as if that makes a difference, but I don't think Weaver said anything to Sweeney. Sweeney charges the mound when Weaver had his back to him, and fires his helmet, then proceeds to knock him out of the game.

"That's a pretty good philosophy. A guy has a pretty good game going so you just run out and knock him out of the game," he said.

Sweeney probably is looking at a suspension, but he did not regret his decision.

"I hope the other 24 guys come to play hard every day. That's what I do," he said.

[Eddie160]

you know all jokes aside I think that baseball needs a brawl or two every now and then just like the inside pitch and the bean ball and all of the other old school stuff, MLB has gotten too soft. I'll be honest when I saw that fight on the news I thought when was the last time I saw a good old fashion bench clearing brawl and I coundn't remeber any this year. oh well I guess times are truly changing.

[NetShrine]

This is the 1st biggie this year. Last year, it was the White Sox and the Tigers (again). Hmmm, what's up with Detroit?

These are my thoughts. Sweeney was wrong. Period. I don't think it's wrong to defend your honor, on the contrary. But when you lose your composure, you show your weakness in the mental aspect of baseball. Plus, he's not helping his team by getting suspended. And for heaven's sake, if he's gonna do something, he at least should refrain from throwing things. Settle it man to man. If Weaver really did say something very bad, it's understandable, don't get me wrong, but I still don't think that's the way to go about it.

[NetShrine]

I'll admit, from my armchair, I too first thought "Sticks and Stones" and questioned why he didn't just ignore it or yell back only.

But, I also realize that, in certain spots, if someone is trying to pull an alpha number, you have to go to caveman mode, forget logic, and start clobbering. I can't judge Sweeney - - I've never been in the spot he was in at that time. Maybe I would have done the same exact thing.

[Lester]

Heck when I pitch and if a rosin bag is available, I put it right in the same spot that Weaver did. I have never had anyone say move it...but if the ump did at the request of the hitter, I would move the bag no questions asked.....seems Weaver overreacted in my opinion....of course later so did Sweeney.

[NetShrine]

Welcome to the forum Lester!

No doubt. They both would probably have done things differently in hindsight.

[Lester]

Thanks for the Welcome!!

I'm an Oriole fan since I was 5. That makes me 41 if you really want to know. I coach high school baseball, play and coach/manage in an amatuer league. I love baseball and the Orioles. I'm not much of a stat freak. Please stay tuned for the bathing suit contest!!!



This seems to be a neat site. Good work!

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Lester
This seems to be a neat site. Good work!

Thanks! I'm trying..........

[BuzzBuzzard]

It must be the dog days of August. D'Backs and Bucs had a good one last night, too.

[NetShrine]

I'm not sure, but, I think I have to blame the D-back catcher on that one. You can sit on a guy for a while and not expect to get pushed off.

What was Schilling thinking - being in the middle of the fight? Stay on the perimeter Curt. Don't be stupid.