Note to the Texas Rangers

[Noe]

Dear Texas Rangers (re: Manager and players),

Throwing behind a batter is not... repeat *NOT*.... throwing at his head.  That is all.

thank you,
Sal "The Barber" Maglie

P.S. Unless, of course, Napoli has his head up his arse... then I stand corrected.

[Mr. Happy]

Dear Texas stRangizz:

Fuck off.

Mr. Happy

[BizidyDizidy]

Wow - the Rangers are so objectionable, Noe makes his first post in year!

[Noe]

Wow - the Rangers are so objectionable, Noe makes his first post in year!

Eggszactly! Bunch of whiners... WFW!

[Fredia]

my daughter says they look gangster.. i think douche is more appropriate. maybe they need anatomy lessons

[Navin R Johnson]

And that "dust up" never happens if the Rangers don't come bolting onto the field.   Napoli was done barking and about to head to 1st, then the turds came flying out of the dugout like violent diarrhea, led by Bannister.

[juliogotay]

I would hate to think the Astros players would not have done what the Rangers did if same  a pitch was thrown behind one of their players in that situation.

[das]

Hi, Noe!
---------------------
The only one I like is Napoli.  I'd take him on the Astros.

"Obviously, I didn’t like it. I’ve been in the game a long time. I understand how things work. Two of their guys get hit, but all he has to do is put it in my hip and I run down to first base. No one likes 95 [mph] behind their back. It is what it is. I understand the game. I understand two of their guys got hit. My mind wasn’t right when I got up there ... I should know the situation, two outs, nobody on. It caught me off guard."
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article147999994.html

[BlownRanger]

It's worth noting:  the Rangers are the franchise that once had a player beat the shit out of his manager because the manager called him a "punk".

http://www.baseballchronology.com/Baseball/Years/1977/March/28-Frank-Lucchesi-Lenny-Randle.asp

[HudsonHawk]

Hi, Noe!
---------------------
The only one I like is Napoli.  I'd take him on the Astros.

"Obviously, I didn’t like it. I’ve been in the game a long time. I understand how things work. Two of their guys get hit, but all he has to do is put it in my hip and I run down to first base. No one likes 95 [mph] behind their back. It is what it is. I understand the game. I understand two of their guys got hit. My mind wasn’t right when I got up there ... I should know the situation, two outs, nobody on. It caught me off guard."
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article147999994.html

I don't think anyone has any issues with Napoli's reaction on that.  In fact, it could have easily just blown over as a growling match between Napoli and LMJ, if not for two things...Brian McCann and Jeff Banister.  I don't think McCann is what you'd call the voice of reason in such a situation, and Banister is leading the charge out of the dugout for no reason. 

[Tom Servo]

I don't think anyone has any issues with Napoli's reaction on that.  In fact, it could have easily just blown over as a growling match between Napoli and LMJ, if not for two things...Brian McCann and Jeff Banister.  I don't think McCann is what you'd call the voice of reason in such a situation, and Banister is leading the charge out of the dugout for no reason.

McCann has always been in the middle of the shit, going back to his days in Atlanta.  Didn't he get into it with Carlos Gomez at one point? 

oh yeah, youtube is my friend:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAxJunWPDdg

[HudsonHawk]

McCann has always been in the middle of the shit, going back to his days in Atlanta.  Didn't he get into it with Carlos Gomez at one point? 

oh yeah, youtube is my friend:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAxJunWPDdg

McCann has gotten into it with multiple people.  So has Gomez.  From what I remember, McCann v Gomez I wasn't a whole lot different than Conger v Odor.  It started with the catcher telling the hitter to not be such a dick in the box. 

[Waldo]

So is the consensus that LMJ did it on purpose?  I thought the "protocol" for that was a garden-variety fastball, but the pitch definitely had some curving/sliding action away from Napoli.

ETA - Never mind, just saw it was a fastball.  Just had more action than what you normally see with those types of pitches.

[WVastro]

So what exactly went down between McHugh and Gomez? I've read snippets here and there but can't seem to find much. I also didn't catch it on the broadcast.

[HudsonHawk]

So is the consensus that LMJ did it on purpose?  I thought the "protocol" for that was a garden-variety fastball, but the pitch definitely had some curving/sliding action away from Napoli.

ETA - Never mind, just saw it was a fastball.  Just had more action than what you normally see with those types of pitches.

I think it's hard to argue that wasn't a "purpose pitch".

[Waldo]

So what exactly went down between McHugh and Gomez?

Well, there is some history there.

I didn't watch the game live but I just went back and watched the Rangers broadcast on MLB TV.  They don't show the first part of it but they show Gomez being restrained by a couple of guys while McHugh is on the dugout steps gesturing toward Gomez.  I didn't see anything egregious but it looked like whatever he was doing got under Gomez's skin.

[Waldo]

I think it's hard to argue that wasn't a "purpose pitch".

I understand, just wasn't sure about the movement on the pitch.  Usually those are straight as an arrow.

[chuck]

Well, there is some history there.

Thanks, I've been meaning to look for this. I know I have it somewhere but who knows how long it might take to dig it up.

[Navin R Johnson]

Why would someone rather get actually HIT, then have someone throw the ball behind their back?  I can understand if the pitch was above the shoulders.

[MRaup]

Why would someone rather get actually HIT, then have someone throw the ball behind their back?  I can understand if the pitch was above the shoulders.

Because your first instinct on a ball that's behind you is to step backwards. It's one thing to brace for impact, and a whole different beast pulling backwards out of instinct only to get hit in the head.

[das]

Well, there is some history there.

I had never seen that. Yikes. I assume it was some inexplicable foible by Gomez in CF.  Regardless, you never, ever, ever, ever throw your teammate under the bus like that for all to see. Bush league.

[JimR]

I don't think anyone has any issues with Napoli's reaction on that.  In fact, it could have easily just blown over as a growling match between Napoli and LMJ, if not for two things...Brian McCann and Jeff Banister.  I don't think McCann is what you'd call the voice of reason in such a situation, and Banister is leading the charge out of the dugout for no reason.

I am very glad McCann is on this team.

[juliogotay]

I am very glad McCann is on this team.

ditto.

[Waldo]

I had never seen that. Yikes. I assume it was some inexplicable foible by Gomez in CF.  Regardless, you never, ever, ever, ever throw your teammate under the bus like that for all to see. Bush league.

IIRC it was Gomez misplaying a can of corn at Fenway last spring.  Also, I'm pretty sure he was talking to himself.  Does that count as throwing your teammate under the bus?

[chuck]

IIRC it was Gomez misplaying a can of corn at Fenway last spring.  Also, I'm pretty sure he was talking to himself.  Does that count as throwing your teammate under the bus?

It was an involuntary reaction. Throwing someone under the bus is I think something you do in public for all to hear.

Amusingly, McHugh did almost the exact same thing as a Met, although rather than an egregious error he himself had just given up a home run.

[doyce7]

I think he just voiced what all of us were thinking at the time

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[WVastro]

Well, there is some history there.

I know I'm piling on poor Gomez here but if McHugh serves one propose for me in his tenure as an Astro (besides winning 19 games and being a solid memeber of the rotation..) it's this screenshot/gif. This perfectly describes exactly how I felt about Gomez's time as an Astro. Every emotion is exactly on point.

[HudsonHawk]

I am very glad McCann is on this team.

Me too.  I just don't think he's a peacemaker in those types of situations. 

[MikeyBoy]

IIRC it was Gomez misplaying a can of corn at Fenway last spring.  Also, I'm pretty sure he was talking to himself.  Does that count as throwing your teammate under the bus?

It was in Minneapolis, Gomez let a easy flyball drop right in front of him. He was released the next day.

[Waldo]

It was in Minneapolis, Gomez let a easy flyball drop right in front of him. He was released the next day.

You're right - I see the Twins logo in the background now.  Pretty sure there was a similar incident (minus the GIF-worthy reaction) earlier in the year in Boston, too.

[Fredia]

note to everyone..rangers looks after the slam priceless..that was some rollercoaster last night

[JimR]

Me too.  I just don't think he's a peacemaker in those types of situations.

He was protecting his pitcher. The hell with peacemaking.

[JimR]

I had never seen that. Yikes. I assume it was some inexplicable foible by Gomez in CF.  Regardless, you never, ever, ever, ever throw your teammate under the bus like that for all to see. Bush league.

No.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

You're right - I see the Twins logo in the background now.  Pretty sure there was a similar incident (minus the GIF-worthy reaction) earlier in the year in Boston, too.

There was. We were winning late and Gomez let a ball drop between he and Springer and we went on to lose. The next day he tweeted "We lost because of me" or something to that effect. That seemed to me at the time a pretty pivotal series in which we might have turned some shit around if not for little fuck-ups like that.

[JimR]

Gomez made little or no effort on Reddick's fly ball single last night and let folks know he did not see it. I almost feel sorry for him at times because I think he wants to help his team. His last out AB was classic Astros Gomez.

[homer]

It was in Minneapolis, Gomez let a easy flyball drop right in front of him. He was released the next day.

I had completely forgotten about that. Thanks... I guess.

[juliogotay]

There was. We were winning late and Gomez let a ball drop between he and Springer and we went on to lose. The next day he tweeted "We lost because of me" or something to that effect. That seemed to me at the time a pretty pivotal series in which we might have turned some shit around if not for little fuck-ups like that.

That whole Boston series was maddening in the teams' OF play. At least 3 fly balls were not played well. It was not all on Gomez either.

[MRaup]

Gomez made little or no effort on Reddick's fly ball single last night and let folks know he did not see it. I almost feel sorry for him at times because I think he wants to help his team. His last out AB was classic Astros Gomez.

I would feel sorry for him if he wasn't such a loud-mouth blowhard. If he put as much effort in to improving as he does defending himself and acting like an assclown, he'd be a perennial All Star.

[JimR]

I would feel sorry for him if he wasn't such a loud-mouth blowhard. If he put as much effort in to improving as he does defending himself and acting like an assclown, he'd be a perennial All Star.

I said "almost" and do not disagree.

[MRaup]

I posted this in the GZ, but here is Gomez's commentary on Monday's game: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227870040/rangers-carlos-gomez-discusses-altercation/?game_pk=490499

Dude is a straight up dumbass.

[Bench]

I posted this in the GZ, but here is Gomez's commentary on Monday's game: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227870040/rangers-carlos-gomez-discusses-altercation/?game_pk=490499

Dude is a straight up dumbass.

Yeah but this line is some straight-up Ted Dibiase brilliance:  He still gets booed at Minute Maid Park. "I don't pay attention to that," Gomez said. "That doesn't bother me. I hear it everywhere but that doesn't bother me. Whatever they say, they are fans. They make me rich every time they come to the ballpark."

[JimR]

I posted this in the GZ, but here is Gomez's commentary on Monday's game: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227870040/rangers-carlos-gomez-discusses-altercation/?game_pk=490499

Dude is a straight up dumbass.

The pitch was nowhere near his head. Machado said the same thing last night on a butt-high pitch behind him.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

If he put as much effort in to improving as he does defending himself and acting like an assclown, he'd be a perennial All Star.

His brain is incapable. He has no foresight. He lives in the moment. Hopefully for his sake, he's got some smart trustworthy people looking out for his financial wellbeing.

[HudsonHawk]

He was protecting his pitcher. The hell with peacemaking.

OK, so much for subtly.  I think McCann is an instigator who looks for opportunities to stir up shit. 

[Duman]

I was watching the ESPN highlights of the dust up.  One of the guys said "There is McCann in the middle of it, he knows what to do. He wrote the unwritten rules."

I had to chuckle about that.

[Mr. Happy]

Why would someone rather get actually HIT, then have someone throw the ball behind their back?  I can understand if the pitch was above the shoulders.

Deer lowered. It's obvious. Humans share a propensity to step backwards from harm. The hitter is confined to the batter's box. When the ball is delivered behind him, the natural instinct is to step backwards, and possibly into a beaning.

[JimR]

OK, so much for subtly.  I think McCann is an instigator who looks for opportunities to stir up shit.

To each his own.

[Andyzipp]

OK, so much for subtly.  I think McCann is an instigator who looks for opportunities to stir up shit. 

I think this team could have used some shit stirring last season, so it's a move in the right direction for me if he wants to play Ham Porter.

[JimR]

I think this team could have used some shit stirring last season, so it's a move in the right direction for me if he wants to play Ham Porter.

Me too.

[toddthebod]

McCann and Gattis are the Astros version of the Barbarian Brothers.  And I mean that in a good way.