I didn't mind him show boating at that moment but maybe the stomping on home plate was a little too much. I wonder if Astros were fine with him looking at his teammates and slamming his bat on the ground but the home plate stomp in front of Maldonado was a big F you moment.
We will never know for sure because they are never going to tell us. Intentionally putting another runner on base to give them first and second with nobody out when you are down by two and possibly going down 3-2 in the series would be a really stupid thing to do. Now if it was a regular season game then that would be completely different.
ENOUGH with the personal BS. I played ball for a long time too. Read the whole thread. The Astros just had one of the biggest and most dramatic wins in their history. Don't come in like this.
Apparently so. As frustrating as Maldonado is at times, He has never struck me as stupid or unaware of the situation.
Maldonado definitely wouldn't have called for it. Dusty wouldn't either as we all know him to be too mild mannered at times. He admitted to not being someone that gets angry. So we're down to Abreu going rogue. He was 400 feet away in the bullpen, which probably has obstructed views, when Garcia was rounding the bases. Do you really think he was focused from that distance on what Garcia was doing and developed some rage because of it?
1) Maldonado had no problem being combative against the Rangers' antics earlier this season. 2) Dusty is supposedly old school, where antics like Garcia displayed were frowned upon and where batters got hit. It's amazing how posters really believe there's no possibility the HBP was intentional. Like I said... switch the jerseys. then everyone arguing about "no intent" would flip, and be arguing the opposite direction. They won't admit it now because they've already put their foot down and don't want to contradict themselves. But quiet as kept, we all know the truth.
I absolutely believe they would do it if it were a different situation. But this situation called for restraint or at least delay.
It’s possible I just think it’s unlikely. Even if the Jerseys were switched I don’t think the Rangers would risk having Chapman bean Bregman or Altuve in that situation.
I especially don’t think Baker or Bochy would have one of their pitchers do that. They are old school but also they’ve been around long enough to know how important the moment is.
He was after Abreu was tossed. That's how we heard the quote from him after the game saying that's not like him at all. A common complaint on this board has been that he doesn't get angry enough when it comes to defending his players.
Because intentionally hitting Garcia would be one of the dumbest decisions made in a tight playoff game in MLB history. I give the Astros and if it was reversed, the Rangers credit for not being dumb.
