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Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

George — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:38:47 -0000

Baseball players, like hockey players, police themselves. No, there should never been any "head hunting" as a fastball from Jenks, or other pitchers that throw as hard as him, could serious injure a player, or even kill him.

No fines, no suspensions. Just good ol' hard ball. That's why girls don't play baseball.

Some will cry and say that intentionally hitting a batter and benches clearing brawls should not be in baseball, but those are the same people that stopped playing in 5th grade. It's a part of the game. Just like body checks and sweaters over the head followed by a bombardment of haymakers are part of hockey. No reason to "sissyfy" our pro sports. But thank you Bobby for not hitting Kinsler. The Rangers need him healthy all season ;).

Also, none of those HBP's were intentional by the Rangers. Just look at the times they were hit. They wouldn't want an extra base runner in those situations. Just bad control. But I'm sure the Rangers were expecting something in return because of all the HBP's.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

jim — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:23:53 -0000

I'm not a Sox fan, so I have no dog in this fight.
There's nothing wrong with a purpose pitch, especially one that doesn't make contact. Just makes the other side realize there could be a price to pay for tagging the opposition. I prefer this approach to actually hitting someone. It's a Gandhian approach to protecting teammates.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Doug — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:06:34 -0000

Here's Kinsler's take:

Ian Kinsler was unperturbed by White Sox reliever Bobby Jenks' open admission that he deliberately threw at the Rangers second baseman on Saturday.

"That's part of the game," Kinsler said Tuesday afternoon. "There's nothing else to say about it."

Jenks was fined an undisclosed amount -- reportedly $750 -- by Major League Baseball on Tuesday after admitting that he deliberately threw behind Kinsler in the ninth inning of Saturday's game between the Rangers and White Sox. Rangers pitchers had hit six batters in the first four meetings between the two teams, and Jenks wasn't happy about it.

And our esteem manager weighed in:

"They can talk all they want, but we weren't trying to hit anybody," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "If their pitcher says something like that ... that's on him. If my guys get hit six times and one of my guys wants to take care of business, then take care of business. But don't talk about it."

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

wordslinger — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:55:25 -0000

As long as we're on sports, let's hear it for the young Blackhawks!

Has any franchise every experienced such a reversal of fortune in such a short time -- in the standings, at the the gate and in the hearts of the fans?

There's a lesson here for all of us -- youth will be served, especially in the third period!

If you see any of the Hawks stars on Madison Street, buy 'em a beer -- those that are over 21, that is.

Let's bring Wayne Messmer back to sing the National Anthem for the Western Conference Finals -- and let it be the Red Wings!

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

47th Ward — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:38:19 -0000

Sorry, I meant to add that no way is this a suspension-level event. Not even a fine. It's baseball. Although if you did the same thing outside a ballpark, you might get arrested for attempted assault...

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

47th Ward — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:36:34 -0000

I realize this is a bi-partisan issue, both the NL and AL have "purpose" pitches and occasionally hit opponents on purpose to send the appropriate message.

However, at least in the real league, the pitchers each take their turn at bat. Would Roger Clemens have been such a head hunter in his early days if he had to stand up there with a bat in his hand instead of a ball?

End the designated hitter rule. End the abomination.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

wordslinger — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:16:16 -0000

--If the NBA cannot tell Jenksâ€™ intentional miss from an intentional hit, they have bigger problems being able to steer American baseball into the future.--

VMan, you're obviously a big fan of both the NBA and MLB. Hint: Baseball is the game on a diamond with small white balls and bats, hopefully outdoors. Basketball is played with big orange balls on an indoor court.

As far as your mention of "padded petticoats and brassiers" go, well, you would know a lot better than I.

Jenks will probably get a pass, even though he copped. The Sox had been nailed earlier, and no action was taken in the game.. The worst would be a three-game, probably reduced to one on appeal. No biggy.

The Sox need something to fire them up. As for Big Bad Bobby Jenks, let's get back to dropping that Big Hammer with a two strikes. Everyone catches up with the gas eventually.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Wumpus — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:56:19 -0000

Tell Quentin to back off the plate, he won't get hit so much. He is a great young player with the potential to be a great player for a long time. Either he needs to back up, get a fancy elbow pad like Barry Bonds or get used to getting hit as he crowds the plate.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Amy — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:11:03 -0000

I wish Jenks had not said anything....there's no need to talk about doing what's right, playing the game hard. i have a hard time imagining some players playing in the era of Bob Gibson. even as an American League, ok, Sox, fan, you have to know about wicked pitching going right at a batter if you followed the game around that time.

and that's how it should be played. i'm sure Jenksy is very popular with his mates cause he's backing them up.

screw a suspension for this. they can barely handle the illegal substance issue and that spell way more damage to the game. call the fouls as you see them, ump, nothing more. game over.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

scoot — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:04:13 -0000

1-2 games...although I don't have a problem with what happened.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Black Ivy — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:30:39 -0000

Absolutely not. Baby Bobby Jenks was protecting my baby White Sox and should not be disciplined.

It's all in a game, right?

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Quacktastic — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:30:32 -0000

Could we ask Jenks to throw a couple pitches at Dan Proft?

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Yellow Dog Democrat — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:22:59 -0000

Suspended and fined for what, throwing a Ball instead of a Strike?

Apparently, the same Nanny State that wants to ban talking on cell phones, even when there's no accident or other violation, now has found its way into baseball.

What's next? Milk, cookies and a nap to replace the 7th inning stretch?

RICH: I'd love to hear Kinsler's take.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Stones — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:46:45 -0000

He should not be suspended. If Jenks had wanted hit him he would have. My opinion might be different if he had thrown above his chest but that is not the case here.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Boscobud — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:37:12 -0000

Since I am on a soapbox hope you all don't mind one more comment. Why doesn't Pinella play Hoffpauir instead of Soriano? Hoffpauir is a much better player and his head isn't as large as balloon in the Macys day parade. Soriano needs to bat in the third spot but nooooooo he is going to cry if he doesn't get to bat first.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Boscobud — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:10 -0000

To explain my answer a little better. We have to remember that this is the White Sox's and in my opinion that whole team needs to go the minors for a while. Not saying the Cubs are any better because there is quite a few of the Cubbies that need to go to play with the minors.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Boscobud — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:23:50 -0000

I think if a player get hits by a pitch than the batting team get one run added to there score. Even if it is wild pitch. There is no reason for such childish games like that. These are grown men acting like children. Also these pictures should be able to prevent hitting someone with there pitch, and if they can't they I think they need to play with the minor teams.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Bill — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:16:23 -0000

Doug,
You better run to the limo after the game if you are going to keep on wearing a stupid Rangers costume at the cell.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Third Generation Chicago Nativ — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:16:15 -0000

So Jenks admitted what all the other pitchers would not dare.
No one hit, no one hurt, why punish Jenks? If they do then any pitcher who actually hits and/or hurts players should be punished.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Ned Racnad — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:15:53 -0000

Aren't about 90 percent of the Sox' HBPs Pierzynski getting hit? And you can't say he doesn't deserve every one of them. So if you deduct those, the Sox really are a bunch of dirty headhunters.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:13:48 -0000

I am NO WAY a Sucks fan, but there was no ejection or warning by the umpire, move on. No fine, no suspension.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Vote Quimby! — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:05:39 -0000

Jenks should be fined for telling the truth--he was protecting his players. It reminds me of Greg Maddux when he was coming up with the Cubs--he retaliated and was ejected in the fifth inning. I always admired him for that (and those 350+ wins) and even though I am a Cub fan, I'm on Jenks side on this one.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Pat Collins — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:49:25 -0000

Hey, Rich, make Tuesday baseball blogging a regular (1/month?) feature.

Good idea. Then we can discuss what we blow up on the field on the 30th anniversary of Disco Demo. Make a good Q of the day :)

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

South Side Mike — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:21:39 -0000

Hey, Rich, make Tuesday baseball blogging a regular (1/month?) feature. To answer your question, I could see MLB doing fine and suspension of 1 game, which of course will be appealed and then dropped on a day when Jenks needs a day-off. His only mistake in all this was admitting to the purpose pitch publicly to the media.

However, Jenks acted entirely appropriately. Heck, I remember last year (or was it 2 years ago) when the Rangers kept beaning our players and yet the Sox pitcher was ejected when 1 Ranger was hit. Unfortunately, Buehrle has too good control to "accidentally" nail someone, and no Sox starter is a real hurler who can intimidate with their fastball. So it's up to a reliever to send the message, and I give big props to Jenks for stepping up to that role.

This is perhaps one area where I'll admit the Cubs are better. Zambrano would have no problems hurling a pitch (or a bat) at someone in retaliation. Of course, it would be dismissed as more Crazy Z shtick and he would get off scot-free.

Re: Tuesday baseball blogging… Bobby Jenks’ “purpose pitch”

Phineas J. Whoopee — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:21:27 -0000

The goofy Sox have hit the fewest batters in the league and they get in the most trouble. Keep your mouths shut and just hit em'. That will send the message.

Suspension for being stupid.