Brushback 2003 - Signs Of Being On Track?

[Wolf Hopper]

Last night, early in the Yankees - Blue Jays game, Roger Clemens nailed Josh Phelps in the back with a pitch - while there a couple of runners on.

Phelps did not charge the mound. The umpires did not issue a warning.

The Yankee announces chimed in quickly with things like - - "No way Clemens is throwing at him there - with two on. You don't want to load the bases to face the AL Rookie of the Year last year............."

And, I'm screaming at the TV - - - - "They pay you guys! I know that Phelps, as a rookie last year, hit 2 HR in a game against Clemens (in August) - - one of only a handful of hitters to ever to that. Rocket is sending a message to the kid. This is vintage Clemens. If I know this, you should know it. Watch what happens next!"

And, sure enough, Rocket blew away Hinske to get out of the inning.

In the top of the next inning, Halladay drilled Mondesi in the upper thigh. (To the Yankee announcers credit, they got this one right, agreeing that it was retaliatory and appropriate.)

Raul did not charge the mound. The umpires did not issue a warning.

That's it. End of story.

To me, this whole situation was textbook. The pitcher wanted to send a message. He did - in a fair spot, the back. The opposing pitcher also wanted to send a message - an eye for an eye - and, he did it in the right spot - the butt area. The umpires let this play. The batters understood what was going on.

Is this a sign that teams (pitchers and batters) and the leagues have figured out how to let these situations work out?

[JamesI]

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper

Is this a sign that teams (pitchers and batters) and the leagues have figured out how to let these situations work out?

No. this is a good example, one that will hopefully become the norm.

But I don't think it will. Most players charge the mound, and many umpires issue warnings or start ejecting people.

[gyb13]

if players are charging the mound in spring training, they'll continue to do it during the season...

[Craig S.]

I hope it's a sign, although I think gyb's right in believing it will return to the same old.

Phelps looked like he understood exactly why he got nailed, and he didn't look the least bit angry. And if Halladay was doing anything other than returning the favor, he could have gone for Mondesi's head.

[KCBOOMER]

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
The Yankee announces chimed in quickly with things like - - "No way Clemens is throwing at him there - with two on. "

To me the statement "no way was he (the pitcher) throwing at him" is one of the all-time idiotic statements. When a guy gets his blood lust up he isn't always going to stop and have a rational conversation with himself. Guys do stupid things all the time.

Well I guess if the hitter is plunked with a change-up the statement would apply.

[TimmyB]

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
The Yankee announces chimed in quickly with things like - - "No way Clemens is throwing at him there - with two on. You don't want to load the bases to face the AL Rookie of the Year last year............."

From what little I've seen of the local Yankee on-air team "objective" doesn't quite fit the bill.

As for your main point here, I would be thrilled if this were a sign of things to come, but I suspect the foolishness we saw in ST will be more the norm. I could be wrong... I hope I'm wrong...

[Glyndwr]

I was in something of a state of shock as this was going on because commentators (Rob Faulds and John Cerrutti) had it exactly right. As soon as clemens plunked him Cerutti was straight out with 'That's Clemens sending a message' they even had tape of the Phelps homers from last year ready to go. At the top of the next inning they were then speculating on who Halladay would hit in return.

I particularly enjoyed Mondesi's little grin to himself before he gave Halladay a routine glare as he ran down to first.

[gyb13]

so there is hope after all!

[b-ball-lunachik]

I didn't get to watch the whole game yet -- have it on tape (my new nephew decided to come into the world three weeks early to have his own Opening Day. so life is extra hectic )...so I missed that exchange but reading this thread, I think it's a refreshing thing to happen...Clemens is and always will be a throw back -- I think the announcers did get it wrong about Phelps...

I hope it's a sign of things to come but I'm not that optimistic...most pitchers don't even stand there and catch a pop up that's right on the mound -- the game is much different now...