Hitters get too much respect

[tbuck]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

tnickle? You rip me for my comeback?

Hey, i agree that what Hunter did was extreme, but my point is, there are hitters out there who do things right. They stand off the plate, don't wear armor, and don't show up the pitcher when they jack one. Hunter is one of those guys, and there's no reason he should get hit as much as he does. He's just trying to protect himself, since the umps won't let his pitchers do it. I don't expect him to sit back and take it as "part of the game" every time it happens. The pitchers are responsible for the ball they throw. If they get too careless, they need to be kept in check. Since the umps warn both teams the minute a batter gets hit, how can teams protect their hitters? THAT used to be part of the game, too, but MLB has taken that away, and created a new situation where people just might go to the extreme to protect themselves. Hunter lost his cool, but i don't think he was wrong.

[cookusu]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

I am sick and tired of hearing about the old time pitchers talking about how they would have hit a guy if he showed him up. What is so tough about throwing at a hitter? and why shouldn't the hitter have the right to respond?

If Sosa can stare at a pitcher and indimidate him enough so that he won't throw inside, what is wrong with that? just seems like gamesmanship to me. I don't recall Sosa going after a pitcher, he might do a lot of glaring but that's it.

[K_Mosley]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

Not necessarily speaking about Hunter and Baez, but not all hit batsmen are intentional. I've seen hitters get all bent out of shape on curve balls up and in that obviously didn't break - clearly not an example of the pitcher throwing at the hitter. If a hitter wants to retaliate, he should be sure of the pitcher's intent. Baez was wild last night, and he does have a fastball that runs in. He went to the Twins and apologized, and intimiated that it wasn't intentional. Couldn't that be the case?

Anyway, I would've rather seen Hunter charge. I guess I'm old fashioned... Either way, he'll get suspended, deservedly so.

Kevin

[bryan_05]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

We played a HS game this year where the opposing pitcher plunked 4 of our guys. I plunked one of theres but mine was on accident, seriously. Pitching in the zone is no fun

[cookusu]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

KMosely,

Good point, I think it was Reggie Sanders who charged someone who was pitching a perfect game, or something like that my memory is fuzzy. I don't condone what Hunter did but I understand it.

[tribesyoungguns]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

I have to say anyone who says that Torii Hunter would "handle" Bob Gibson hasn't watched a lot of baseball. Its not just that Gibson was tough with the ball in his hand, he had to bat don't forget...people were scared to death of him. And as far people being envious of Twins fans...come on. Yeah great situation, crap stadium, contraction issues, one of the worst owners in pro sports, but at least you've got a respectable governor. Sorry dude but you've got it rough out there.

[Will]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

Immature? Selfish? Lose an 11 game lead despite having one of the deeper outfields in the league? Keep stretching.

You don't want to turn this game into a glorified game of dodgeball, so why should pitchers even be hitting batters in the first place? Hunter is not turning this into dodgeball, that was done a long time ago.

I don't think Baez did it on purpose, but he had already hit one guy, and Hunter didn't feel like he should be the one that had to pay for Baez's repeated mistake. Makes sense, no? There's a little spin there, but the point stands regardless.

$20 says Baez is more careful of plunking guys in the future, though.

[scooter]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

Immature...you got it. Selfish...you bet. Maybe them losing an 11 game lead is a stretch, but those other two aren't. But losing a big lead can happen my man. Ask the '69 Cubs or the '95 Angels, don't be countin those chickens.

But for all you homers out there, I like what the Twins are doing this year. Bet you two missed that along the line. You only tend to remember the things that bother you about what I say. And if you're going to quote me get it right. I said high stakes dodgeball. Please answer this question. What if the ball hits the pitcher in the head when he isn't looking? I know it's a "what if", but when you pull a stupid move like that you run that risk. I'm all for charging the mound, then we can see what a "bad a$$" Torii really is. I'll say another thing, if I faced Hunter in the next game he plays, he'd get one high and tight, because the boy can be shaken.

[tbuck]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

Scooter: 2 Games vs. Cleveland, 2 Jacks, 2 Twins wins. He did seem shaken up, didn't he? Say what you will about what Hunter did, but he's recieved total support from his manager, teammates, and many players around the league. Not one of them have called him selfish, and they PLAY THE GAME. I don't think what Hunter did should become commonplace, but i have no problem with THAT incident. I think it was justified, and i'm glad he did it. What if the ball hits the pitcher in the head? That would be bad for Baez, Hunter, and the game. What if Baez hits Hunter in the head? Both players are responsible for what they do, and hitting batters is not always "part of the game". When a pitcher knowingly hits a batter, that's wrong, and could do irreperable damage to the player. What should have been allowed to happen was Hunter get up, say something, go to first, and in the next inning, Rick Reed dusts off Jim Thome. Old time baseball. You hit our guys, we hit yours. Teams can't do that nowadays, and that's why things like what Hunter did happen, and i think you'll see more frustration on the part of hitters leaguewide.

Tribesyoungguns: Things are a lot brighter in Cleveland these days, aren't they? 11 games back and fading fast. I'll take the Twins in the crappy stadium anyday. By the way, the best part of living in Minnesota is that it's NOT Cleveland. You're choking on your sour grapes, and i love it.

[keRplunK]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

i dont think torri planned on doing it i think he was hurting from getting hit with a 90 mph fastball and the ball happend to be where he was standing and he chucked it at him...

[Will]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

You have still failed to tell me why a pitcher can throw at a batter but that batter can't throw at the pitcher.

[BaseballGuru]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

The ball could've slipped out of the pitcher's hand... oops. It was a mistake.

When the batter picks it up and throws it as hard as he can back at the pitcher... well, that's against the rules.

[bryan_05]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

^^^ yeah he's right.

I think want hunter did was hilarious, but a good old fashion mound charging is always the best, hunter acted like a small child.

[scooter]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

I'd love to see how you would look at this if a Cleveland hitter had thrown the ball at a Twins' pitcher. You'd be singing a different tune. I'm a Padre fan, if Klesko got hit like that, I'd want him to go out to the mound. I know he'd make his point. Klesko is tearin the cover off the ball right now. Why isn't he getting hit? You'd be a fool to hit a guy that's 6'2'' 250. Go ahead and start the Padres smack, I know they are in last place. Sorry to steal your thunder.

And tbuck, Hunter is 6'2'' 205 and Gibson was 6'4'' 195. So from what I see on the tail of the tape, Hunter isn't bigger than Gibson. I'll also put Drysdale and Ryan on the list of pitchers that wouldn't take the crap that goes on now days.

[Will]

Re: Hitters get too much respect

If a Cleveland player threw it at a Twin, I would be singing a different tune. I'd be pissed that Twin didn't pick it up and throw it right back at him.

Seriously, pitchers have been intentionally throwing at players for decades. Never has one of those guys been called childish or immature. But when Hunter did it, he was. I guess everyone just accepts it as a part of the game for a pitcher, but as soon as anyone else does it, oh boy, they're a child.