The Cubs evidently believe in the unwritten "rules" of baseball, too... and whine when others are smarter than that. http://chicagosports.com/cubs/content/story/0,1984,160073,00.html - PHOENIX - The Cubs were angry after getting swept by Arizona on Sunday and falling two games behind Houston in the National League Central. But they directed their venom toward the Diamondbacks, not themselves. Several players were irked that Reggie Sanders stole second base in the eighth inning with his team up by five runs. Arizona went on to win 13-6. "Nobody in this clubhouse likes [that]," shortstop Ricky Gutierrez said. "If that's the way they want to play the game ... I don't hold grudges, but I always remember." What's amusing, is this quote comes from the same day as this: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=210819102 BOSTON (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles could've easily called it day when they were down by five runs. Manny Ramirez hit this second-inning grand slam, but the Orioles rallied to beat his Red Sox. Instead, the Orioles collected a season-high 19 hits and ended up routing the Boston Red Sox 13-7 Sunday. The Astros had the Pirates come back from a huge ead last week in the 9th, right? The Orioles did the same tonight, despite being a much worse team than the Red Sox. The same thing has happened several other teams. Yet when the Diamondbacks take measures to ensure it doesn't happen to them, the Cubs basically accuse them of beating a dead dog? Wah wah wah.
A couple of weeks ago Seattle was leading Cleveland 14-2 in the 7th inning. Cleveland came back and scored 3 in the bottom of the 7th, 4 in the 8th, and 5 in the 9th to tie the game. Then they scored 1 in the 11th to win. This is an era of baseball where runs can be put up in a hurry. I'd say "screw you" if you tried to tell me to not put the game as far out of reach as I could. On a different note: Wasn't it Bob Brenly who got pissed of at Ben Davis for breaking an "unwritten rule" by bunting to break up a no-hitter in a 2-0 ball game? If Brenly called for that steal then he must have selective memory when it comes to "unwritten rules."
God. When did baseball players become such thin-skinned little wusses. It really wasn't all that long ago that baseball players were tough guys, people who you wouldn't want to start a fight with. The ultimate moment that defines how effeminate the modern baseball player has become was when Ryan hit Robin Ventura, who promptly got mad and ran out to express his displeasure. Only thing was, when he got there he had no idea what to do, and proceded to flail about like a prebubescent girl on a playground when someone has taken away her Barbie. My solution? Bring back the beanball. No more ejections for pitchers that hit batters. Players who b**** and pout, as well as pitchers who hit batters will then have to be accountable for their actions. Players croud the plate? Bean them. Reggie Sanders steals seccond? Bean him. But make sure you are willing to stand up for your convictions, cause your going to get beaned right back.
You guys have to read into Guitierrez's quote: what ricky means is, we're about to fall into 3rd place and we can't do anything about it. Why do the D-backs have to run on us? The Cubs are struggling and are about to fall out of the pennant race. So, they are obviously p!ssed........................
Dude, that was a bad example. I believe Ventura knew what to do, but forgot who he was doing it to. Ventura was in a no win situation...if he beats up on Ryan, everyone says "So what, you beat up a 45 year old" However what DID happen is that Nolan Ryan started this entire "bobble-head craze" that has swept baseball. I can imagine some toy manufacturer watching that game saying "Oh, look how Ventura's head is bobbing up and down from the pounding Ryan is giving him....that gives me an idea!"
Cubbies are toast. Especially with Wood hurt (again). The Cards present a much greater threat to the Astros than the Cubs do at this point, IMO.
The unwritten rules are stupid. The game is never over until it's over. You play to win. Even in highschool. Even if Little league. When you stop playing you get hurt. When you stop playing you hurt the other team by not giving them your best effort. It's not about humiliation. It's about the losing team learning from their mistakes. That's just my opinion. I'm not one to fight or charge the mound, but if I'm charging that mound because some guy tried to throw a 95 mph fastball at my head, you better believe I'm going to take the bat with me and beat the crap out of the pitcher. Only a stupid pitcher would stand there. Most of em are gonna run like a chicken. Never understood why more players don't take the bat with them. I bet the suspension for hitting a pitcher with a bat would be huge. But if he hits me with the ball het gets a day off. Talk about a double standard. Back to the Cubs. They got this far. They will still be around when things begin to tighten up. Remember, we whipped who, the Pirates. The best minor league team in the majors. This thing is going to go to the wire. So buckle up. How sweet and scary would it be to see this rotation in the world series...just day dreaming... Hernandez Miller Oswalt
