A-Rods Dirty Play Continues

[UNHWildCats]

With the Yankees up by one run in the 9th inning last night, Matsui and A-Rod on base, and two outs, Jorge Posada hit a routine pop up. John McDonald and Howie Clark converged and stared up at the ball, and as Rodriguez ran between them towards third, he suddenly shouted something (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070531&content_id=1996569&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy); Clark froze, and the ball dropped in.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

With the Yankees up by one run in the 9th inning last night, Matsui and A-Rod on base, and two outs, Jorge Posada hit a routine pop up. John McDonald and Howie Clark converged and stared up at the ball, and as Rodriguez ran between them towards third, he suddenly shouted something (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070531&content_id=1996569&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy); Clark froze, and the ball dropped in.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't have a problem with what A-Rod did. Poor excuse by this Clark guy for not catching the ball anyway. xtwocentsx

[AppGuy04]

Dude, I've played baseball since I was 5. This happens in every game. It's a part of the game, just like stealing signs

[gmoney55]

Yea I don't see the big deal here, and I can't stand the Yankees.

[BeauFoster]

I doubt that it is illegal, but it is bush league.

[Ivytalk]

Just like every 12-year-old hollers in Little League:"DROP IT!!!"xrolleyesx

[CopperCat]

Dirty on the field, and off the field. L O S E R. No class, no character.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I doubt that it is illegal, but it is bush league.

I think it's more bush league that the dude missed the ball because of it and then had the nerve to go to the press and say "I only missed the ball because that mean guy on the other team yelled at me". I hope his teammates lay into him for that.

[BeauFoster]

I think it's more bush league that the dude missed the ball because of it.


The only issue that I have is that he (supposedly) said "Mine". If he had been yelling "Miss it!" or something else, I wouldn't have a problem. When I played baseball, if I heard someone say "mine", I would back out of the play. That is what this guys was doing (I assume).

[CopperCat]

If ya'll don't think that A-Rod was wrong in this instance, what about where he tried to hit the ball out of the first basemen's glove during the ALCS? His excuse was, "That's how I normally run." Yeah, maybe if you're an 8 year old girl.

[UNHWildCats]

If ya'll don't think that A-Rod was wrong in this instance, what about where he tried to hit the ball out of the first basemen's glove during the ALCS? His excuse was, "That's how I normally run." Yeah, maybe if you're an 8 year old girl.

Or last week when he slid in towards Pedroia last week and shot upwards with an elbow towards Pedroia's groin to break up a DP.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

If ya'll don't think that A-Rod was wrong in this instance, what about where he tried to hit the ball out of the first basemen's glove during the ALCS? His excuse was, "That's how I normally run." Yeah, maybe if you're an 8 year old girl.

Ain't nothing wrong with that, either. Shizzit like this goes on all the time during games, not just by A-Rod. Matter of fact, kudos to him for doing everything he can to help his team win.

[AppGuy04]

If ya'll don't think that A-Rod was wrong in this instance, what about where he tried to hit the ball out of the first basemen's glove during the ALCS? His excuse was, "That's how I normally run." Yeah, maybe if you're an 8 year old girl.


Or last week when he slid in towards Pedroia last week and shot upwards with an elbow towards Pedroia's groin to break up a DP.

both of those are very different

in this instance, he didn't touch the guy. a professional ball player should be able to tune him out. Unless ofcourse, as noted above, he said something along the lines of "mine"

[TheValleyRaider]

http://www.discountperfumenetwork.com/Images/Items/obsession_m.jpg

[AppGuy04]

http://www.discountperfumenetwork.com/Images/Items/obsession_m.jpg

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[blueballs]

Completely bush league no class play... it is one of the unwritten rules of PROFESSIONAL baseball that you don't do that.

In softball he would be automatically out for verbal interference but in baseball no such rule exists.

I look for one of Toronto's pitchers to straighten things out the next time they play.

[AppGuy04]

Travis is just mad ARod didn't take him to the strip club

[BeauFoster]

http://www.discountperfumenetwork.com/Images/Items/obsession_m.jpg



HAHAHAHAHAHA xthumbsupx

[BeauFoster]

Travis is just mad ARod didn't take him to the strip club



Would Travis make an allowance for a non-Asian in this instance? :D

[dbackjon]

http://www.discountperfumenetwork.com/Images/Items/obsession_m.jpg

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

[AppGuy04]

Would Travis make an allowance for a non-Asian in this instance? :D

if ARod paid his bills? yesxsmiley_wix

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I look for one of Toronto's pitchers to straighten things out the next time they play.

Yep. That's how it works. xnodx. A-Rod's been around long enough that he shouldn't be surprised to get a shave under the chin.

[foghorn]

If ya'll don't think that A-Rod was wrong in this instance, what about where he tried to hit the ball out of the first basemen's glove during the ALCS? His excuse was, "That's how I normally run." Yeah, maybe if you're an 8 year old girl.

Huh? The guy's playing to WIN!! Did you ever get taken out by a sliding base-runner? Same thing! Play aggressively or sit. xsmiley_wix

[CopperCat]

Huh? The guy's playing to WIN!! Did you ever get taken out by a sliding base-runner? Same thing! Play aggressively or sit. xsmiley_wix

That's not playing aggressively. Playing aggressively means you hit harder, run faster, throw hard and accurate. Intensity is not the same as what A-Rod is doing, at least according to the teaching I was given when I played ball.

[AppGuy04]

That's not playing aggressively. Playing aggressively means you hit harder, run faster, throw hard and accurate. Intensity is not the same as what A-Rod is doing, at least according to the teaching I was given when I played ball.

agreed, and usually, intensity in baseball means you play worse, atleast in my experience. You try and swing too hard or do too much with the bat, you end up striking out

Trying to bat a ball out of a glove and sliding in with an elbow or spikes up is not playing hard, thats just dirty

[IowaBisonToo]

xcoffeex Funny how you hear about this because it's A$$-Rod (in fact I just heard a clip about it on the radio). But AJ Pierzynski (sp?) trying to spike last years AL MVP, Twins 1B Justin Morneua twice in one game gets hardly a blurb.

[foghorn]

agreed, and usually, intensity in baseball means you play worse, atleast in my experience. You try and swing too hard or do too much with the bat, you end up striking out

Trying to bat a ball out of a glove and sliding in with an elbow or spikes up is not playing hard, thats just dirty

C'mon, there's no sissies or cryin' in baseball. xlolx

[AppGuy04]

C'mon, there's no sissies or cryin' in baseball. xlolx

If ARod got spiked or fooled like he did to him, he'd be bitching and moaning about it, you can guarantee that

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Trying to bat a ball out of a glove and sliding in with an elbow or spikes up is not playing hard, thats just dirty

Is plowing the catcher over at home plate also dirty? Just curious 'cause I got knocked on my azz many a time during my playing days.

[AppGuy04]

Is plowing the catcher over at home plate also dirty? Just curious 'cause I got knocked on my azz many a time during my playing days.

Nope!

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Nope!

...but the goal is the same as the A-Rod play - to jar the ball loose. Point being, if you get away with it under the rules it is all fair play.

[foghorn]

Question for App. Guy: If you were a pitcher and your manager told you to nail the next hitter in retaliation , would you ?

[dbackjon]

Is plowing the catcher over at home plate also dirty? Just curious 'cause I got knocked on my azz many a time during my playing days.

:keepitcleanjonkeepitclean:

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Question for App. Guy: If you were a pitcher and your manager told you to nail the next hitter in retaliation , would you ?

Hell, we had a signal for it when I caught. Middle finger down. At least in my adult league/semi-pro days, we didn't have many pitchers who were afraid to knock a batter down. It's part of the game.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

:keepitcleanjonkeepitclean:


:p xbowx :p

[AppGuy04]

Question for App. Guy: If you were a pitcher and your manager told you to nail the next hitter in retaliation , would you ?

Yes, but at the waist or below, I don't mess with anyone's head

[AppGuy04]

...but the goal is the same as the A-Rod play - to jar the ball loose. Point being, if you get away with it under the rules it is all fair play.

you are correct, but the collision at the plate is an accepted part of the game

[AppGuy04]

From ESPN:

"I just said, 'Hah!' That's it," Rodriguez said. "Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."

[foghorn]

...but the goal is the same as the A-Rod play - to jar the ball loose. Point being, if you get away with it under the rules it is all fair play.
Exactly, SunCoast. Phil Niekro and Gaylord Perry won many a game throwing those 'illegal' spitters. They were naughty boys! :D

[SuperJon]

A-Rod clearly said "Mine!" You can see it on the video and read his lips.

However, a Major Leaguer should know that if someone's calling for the ball, he's going to say it more than once. You never just say, "Mine!" one time. You say, "Mine Mine Mine" or "Ball ball ball" repeatedly so that there's no confusion. Until he heard it a second time (which there obviously wasn't a second time), he should've kept going for it.

What A-Rod did was a dick move. What AJ did in the Minnesota game was a dick move. People are dicks. It's part of life.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

As a point of reference - remember the play quite a few year back where Albert Bell (playing for Cleveland) plowed over some poor second baseman leading with his forearm? Bell got a ton of heat for that and was forever labled as a "dirty player", but my first reaction was the that dude was in the baseline and deserved to get plowed over! The baseline belongs to the runner! I guess that is just how I was taught to play.

[AppGuy04]

As a point of reference - remember the play quite a few year back where Albert Bell (playing for Cleveland) plowed over some poor second baseman leading with his forearm? Bell got a ton of heat for that and was forever labled as a "dirty player", but my first reaction was the that dude was in the baseline and deserved to get plowed over! The baseline belongs to the runner! I guess that is just how I was taught to play.
If he's in the baseline, yes, knock him over. If he's fielding the ball behind the bag or at the bag, yes, that would be dirty

Then again, it all depends on how you knock him over. If you push him, cool, if you give him a forearm to the chin, no no

[GannonFan]

xcoffeex Funny how you hear about this because it's A$$-Rod (in fact I just heard a clip about it on the radio). But AJ Pierzynski (sp?) trying to spike last years AL MVP, Twins 1B Justin Morneua twice in one game gets hardly a blurb.

Actually, the AJ attempted spiking of Morneua (both attempts) were a featured highlight on ESPN. Plenty of attention was given to it.

As for A-Rod, does anyone know if what he did was against the rules? They certainly have a rule that a base-runner can't intentionally block a player from playing the ball (can't stand in front of a player right until the ball gets there), but I'm not sure there's a rule for this. With that said, he certainly said something other than "Hah" (unless, of course, "mine" is Spanish for "huh") and doing something like that reeks of desperation. When the main defense of doing it is that Little Leaguers do it all the time that should give you some idea of the sportsmanship of it. May be legal, but it's almost as far from classy as his slapping away of the tag back in the '04 ALCS.

[foghorn]

As a point of reference - remember the play quite a few year back where Albert Bell (playing for Cleveland) plowed over some poor second baseman leading with his forearm? Bell got a ton of heat for that and was forever labled as a "dirty player", but my first reaction was the that dude was in the baseline and deserved to get plowed over! The baseline belongs to the runner! I guess that is just how I was taught to play.

Yeah, you were taught the RIGHT way!!xthumbsupx

[AppGuy04]

Actually, the AJ attempted spiking of Morneua (both attempts) were a featured highlight on ESPN. Plenty of attention was given to it.

As for A-Rod, does anyone know if what he did was against the rules? They certainly have a rule that a base-runner can't intentionally block a player from playing the ball (can't stand in front of a player right until the ball gets there), but I'm not sure there's a rule for this. With that said, he certainly said something other than "Hah" (unless, of course, "mine" is Spanish for "huh") and doing something like that reeks of desperation. When the main defense of doing it is that Little Leaguers do it all the time that should give you some idea of the sportsmanship of it. May be legal, but it's almost as far from classy as his slapping away of the tag back in the '04 ALCS.

No written rule

[gmoney55]

Wasn't the slap illegal? I mean wasn't he called out because he slapped the ball out of Arroyo's glove?

And the play at second base against Boston was dirty, I don't care how you play the game you don't go out of your way to toss an elbow at someone. I don't see much problem with yesterday's stuff though.

[CopperCat]

Is plowing the catcher over at home plate also dirty? Just curious 'cause I got knocked on my azz many a time during my playing days.

No! That's in the rules that the catcher can do that, but if he does the baserunner can go at him full tilt. What A-Rod is doing is shady. Running into the catcher or the 2nd basemen is not the same as what A-Rod is doing.

[foghorn]

No! That's in the rules that the catcher can do that, but if he does the baserunner can go at him full tilt. What A-Rod is doing is shady. Running into the catcher or the 2nd basemen is not the same as what A-Rod is doing.

If what A-Rod does is shady, wrong, sinful, immoral or whatever, then it's up to the umpires to do something about it! If they don't, it's all OK. If it helps win ballgames and no one stops you from doing whatever, then by all means, DO IT!!xnodx

[aggie6thman]

I doubt that it is illegal, but it is bush league.

I don't think that it is illegal, but he might get a fastball off his helmet in the next game. Guy is a a-hole in my opinion.

[IowaBisonToo]

Let's see how you guys feel about this. Remember back in '91 during the World Series and Hrbek pulled one of the Braves off 1st base after the pitcher threw over? The ump called the guy on first out. Pretty blatant attempt on Hrbek's part to pull him. Good thing I'm a Twins fan.xthumbsupx Is that dirty? Cheating?

[aggie6thman]

Was is A-Rod who hit the ball out of the Red Sox's first baseman's glove? Or was that Jeter? I wonder if he corks his bat and sharpens his cleets too?

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Is plowing the catcher over at home plate also dirty? Just curious 'cause I got knocked on my azz many a time during my playing days.

I say yes it is. I'm an old phart, but the way I was taught was that the runner was required to slide. If you didn't slide and got one in the chops, it was your own fault. As long as the catcher (or another player at another base) wasn't blocking the base/plate before they had the ball.

I've always thought that the umpires blew the call when Pete Rose barreled into Ray Fosse in that All Star game. And it set a terrible precedent for the years to come. Even with all the gear, a catcher is pretty defenseless to a runner coming in full steam from third base. Wasn't Fosse's career ruined by the injury from Rose nailing him? Sliding in hard is part of the game, dropping a cross body block on someone is not!

[Mr. C]

I say yes it is. I'm an old phart, but the way I was taught was that the runner was required to slide. If you didn't slide and got one in the chops, it was your own fault. As long as the catcher (or another player at another base) wasn't blocking the base/plate before they had the ball.

I've always thought that the umpires blew the call when Pete Rose barreled into Ray Fosse in that All Star game. And it set a terrible precedent for the years to come. Even with all the gear, a catcher is pretty defenseless to a runner coming in full steam from third base. Wasn't Fosse's career ruined by the injury from Rose nailing him? Sliding in hard is part of the game, dropping a cross body block on someone is not!

Most of us old folks would say that running over a catcher is the way that baseball is meant to be played. That is the way that the game has been played since it was invented. If you are going to say Pete Rose or A-Rod is a dirty player, then you have to add Frank Robinson, Dave Parker, Jackie Robinson and many other all-time greats to the list.

You are totally off on the Rose-Fosse play. There was no call that the umpire had to make on Rose. Rose broke NO rules. Fosse was blocking the plate without the ball. He did so at his own peril. If you talk to Fosse today, he would tell you Rose was doing what he was suppose to do. Personally, I prefer the way the game was played in the 1960s and early 1970s. Get rid of the DH and let pitchers bat. Let players police themselves. Allow pitcher to throw inside without fear that some dumb umpire will screw up reading intent and things will be fine.

[Cleets]

wonder if he corks his bat and sharpens his cleets too?

Hey..!
I'm Cleets...
What you're talking about are "Cleats"...

(and yes, Cleets is razor sharp thank you..!)

[CopperCat]

Was is A-Rod who hit the ball out of the Red Sox's first baseman's glove? Or was that Jeter? I wonder if he corks his bat and sharpens his cleets too?

It was A-Rod who did that. His reputation is only getting better too.xrolleyesx

[JoltinJoe]

When the main defense of doing it is that Little Leaguers do it all the time that should give you some idea of the sportsmanship of it. May be legal, but it's almost as far from classy as his slapping away of the tag back in the '04 ALCS.

The "Little Leaguers do it all the time" defense is pretty funny.

Tonight, Arod is going to lead a chant from the dugout of "Pitcher's Got a Big Butt" to taunt Tim Wakefield.:)

[Col Hogan]

The "Little Leaguers do it all the time" defense is pretty funny.

Tonight, Arod is going to lead a chant from the dugout of "Pitcher's Got a Big Butt" to taunt Tim Wakefield.:)

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlmaox xlmaox

xpeacex

[whitey]

I really don't have a problem with A-Rod doing this. The Yankess are paying this guy $18 million (plus whatever luxury cap hit they have to deal with due to his contract). The team is struggling big time and he is doing whatever he can to try to win. Isn't that what you would want out of your $18 million dollar man if you are the Yankees? Now the media and many fans are ripping him apart once again. Yeah, it's a bit unsportsmanlike. But it's within the rules. The Blue Jays no doubt will settle this on the field if they are mad so what's the big deal.

Oh and if Derek Jeter did this how many reporters and ESPN announcers would be getting in line to blow him right now? Speaking of Jeter, he once again leaves A-Rod out to dry by commenting on the incident as "I wasn't out on the field so I didn't see what happened". Give me a break. This guy is the Captain of the Yanks. Stick up for your teammate even if you hate his guts. It's no wonder this team is falling apart.

[blueballs]

Most of us old folks would say that running over a catcher is the way that baseball is meant to be played. That is the way that the game has been played since it was invented. If you are going to say Pete Rose or A-Rod is a dirty player, then you have to add Frank Robinson, Dave Parker, Jackie Robinson and many other all-time greats to the list.

You are totally off on the Rose-Fosse play. There was no call that the umpire had to make on Rose. Rose broke NO rules. Fosse was blocking the plate without the ball. He did so at his own peril. If you talk to Fosse today, he would tell you Rose was doing what he was suppose to do. Personally, I prefer the way the game was played in the 1960s and early 1970s. Get rid of the DH and let pitchers bat. Let players police themselves. Allow pitcher to throw inside without fear that some dumb umpire will screw up reading intent and things will be fine.

Excellent take, that pretty much sums it up.

[foghorn]

You got it, Mr. C, ".... let them police themselves". Although I back A-Rod here, I think he might've had second thoughts if Mr. Drysdale were pitching! xcoffeex

[bluehenbillk]

The chants & jeers at A-Rod all weekend in Fenway should be priceless. Rumor has it they'll be selling blonde wigs en masse on Yawkey Way before the game & encouraging fans to wear them & wave $1 bills while chanting Stray-Rod....

[NE MT GRIZZ]

Most of us old folks would say that running over a catcher is the way that baseball is meant to be played. .

Some instances you don't have a choice. If the catcher is blocking the plate, or comes up the line, you can't slide and have any chance of being safe. The only solution is run him over.

[aggie6thman]

Hey..!
I'm Cleets...
What you're talking about are "Cleats"...

(and yes, Cleets is razor sharp thank you..!)

Hahaha. My bad Cleets! :D xpeacex

[aggie6thman]

The "Little Leaguers do it all the time" defense is pretty funny.

Tonight, Arod is going to lead a chant from the dugout of "Pitcher's Got a Big Butt" to taunt Tim Wakefield.:)

If I am not mistaken, I think they banned that kind of chatter from Little League games. No joke, but I can't remember where I heard it.

[JoltinJoe]

If I am not mistaken, I think they banned that kind of chatter from Little League games. No joke, but I can't remember where I heard it.

Finally. But why, oh, why didn't they do this years ago? xbawlingx

[JoltinJoe]

With the Yankees up by one run in the 9th inning last night, Matsui and A-Rod on base, and two outs, Jorge Posada hit a routine pop up. John McDonald and Howie Clark converged and stared up at the ball, and as Rodriguez ran between them towards third, he suddenly shouted something (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070531&content_id=1996569&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy); Clark froze, and the ball dropped in.

You're probably right that this was a bush league play but if you really want to talk about a dirty player, how about a catcher who starts a fight with another player but doesn't take off his glove or mask?

Where I come from, there's a five-letter word to describe such a guy that starts with "p" and has two "s"s. In Boston, they call him "Captain."

So let's be fair and see things objectively.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l83/JoltinJoe/arod_varitek.jpg

[AppGuy04]

You're probably right that this was a bush league play but if you really want to talk about a dirty player, how about a catcher who starts a fight with another player but doesn't take off his glove or mask?

Where I come from, there's a five-letter word to describe such a guy that starts with "p" and has two "s"s. In Boston, they call him "Captain."

So let's be fair and see things objectively.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l83/JoltinJoe/arod_varitek.jpg

Yeah, let me take a few seconds to get my mask off and give ERod time to get a sucker punchxrolleyesx

[JoltinJoe]

Yeah, let me take a few seconds to get my mask off and give ERod time to get a sucker punchxrolleyesx

xlolx

Except Varitek was the one who threw the first punch.xlolx xlolx xlolx

Major league catcher's mask: $85.

Major league catcher's glove: $265.

Rationalizing cowardly fighting tactics just because he plays for your favorite team: Priceless.

PS -- I takes nanoseconds to remove your mask and drop your glove -- for a man, that is.

I'll grant you that it would have taken longer for Varitek to remove his skirt.

[BigApp]

http://www.discountperfumenetwork.com/Images/Items/obsession_m.jpg

http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-4014.gif

[BigApp]

You Boston fans are still sore that Rodriguez didn't sign with the Red Sox...that's what this boils down to.

Practically any other player in the majors could have, will have or has done this and no one cares.

The 3rd baseman is and should be embarassed for this. The only person to point the finger at is him.

[BigApp]

and for the record, I am NOT a Yankees fan by any stretch of the imagination.

[Peems]

watch the video, he did not say "mine" he yelled something really loud and the 3rd baseman didn't catch it. If he also can't tell the difference between his SS's voice and A-Rod's he is definitely not a major leaguer. Fernando Vina stands by my side.

[EKU05]

If ya'll don't think that A-Rod was wrong in this instance, what about where he tried to hit the ball out of the first basemen's glove during the ALCS? His excuse was, "That's how I normally run." Yeah, maybe if you're an 8 year old girl.

I'll give you that as being dirty...physical interferance is a clear violation of the rules. Yelling something at a player to confuse them is just doing something that isn't illegal to try and win, IMO. I hate the Yankees, but I have no problem with this play.