The Angels have taken 2 so far, in the 4 game series in Anaheim against the Astros.
I haven't stayed awake to see them.
I didn't hear that Marisnick got hit by a pitch.
That seemed to get people up in arms on both sides of the diamond.
At noon today, when a co-worker showed me the video, was the first news I had about this.
Seems like Marisnick was playing the role of peacemaker in what I saw.
He is originally from Riverside.
He probably enjoyed going close to home, to Anaheim, to play.
Not so sure he will for a while.
Again, I will preface my remarks by admitting that I'm (1) new to baseball, and (2) a girl. I do NOT like the practice of deliberately hitting a pitcher. It's concerning when you hear your own announcers pass it off as acceptable. Anyone who condones it needs to drop all the holier-than-thou pretense that there's a problem with unsportsmanlike conduct in baseball. For the home-plate collision, Jake has been fined and suspended for breaking a rule (that I'm not convinced is completely observable due to the pace of play, but let's just go with the notion that it is). Apparently, the fine and suspension weren't enough. Apparently, it's the fine
+ the suspension
+ being hit by a pitch. That stinks.
BTW, this exacting revenge mentality is one of the reasons I disagree with the NL rules requiring the pitcher to be in the batting rotation. Who's to say some pitcher on Team A might try to take out Team B's pitcher as he bats due to a legitimately accidental HBP or even an aggressive play by that Team B pitcher that resulted in a Team A player getting hurt? Such a thing presumes to discern the motives of the player, which seems unfair. Reminder that there were many who were convinced that Marisnick
intended to hurt Lucroy and couldn't/wouldn't be convinced otherwise. Therefore the revenge was deemed justifiable. As the Astros slog through this rough time with pitching injuries and an overused bullpen, I'm learning the importance of a healthy pitching staff. Pitchers (and their teams) should NEVER have to be concerned about taking one at the plate, even if it doesn't result in an injury.
All that said, I agree
@GrouchoTex. Marisnick was the adult on the field.