So, according to National League umpires, throwing a retaliation pitch twelve feet behind a hitter's back is the same as burrowing it dangerously in his ribs.
As you may have heard, umpire Adam Hamari tossed Noah Syndergaard from a scoreless game in the third inning after Thor buzzed Chase Utley.
Utley, you may recall, sparked a rule change last year when he ended Reuben Tejada's post-season with a late takeout slide at second base. Ever since, Utley has been Pubic Enemy #1 in New York, even ahead of James Dolan.
It's no coincidence that the Dodgers abused the cobbled-together relief effort in a 9-1 win. Utley smacked two homers in the victory, including a grand slam to put the game away.
The Larger Issue
The larger issue, though, is this: isn't this how we want pitchers to "retaliate"? Make some lame statement with a wild pitch and move on. Utley suffered no pain. No batter earned a free pass. No heads were hunted. Syndergaard's action put a period at the end of the retribution story.
Instead, the pitcher and manager got tossed, the Dodgers won a game unfairly and the Mets feel more aggrieved than before.
Nice job, ump.
3 comments:
The "larger issue" is how Utley DESTROYED the Muts and how much pleasure that gives Phillie fans even if he does it for LA. #PhoreverAPhillie!
You could say they felt the burn...
Oh I LOVE that!
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