Poo-holes

[LonghornCDR]

Is it just me or is his grandstanding getting worse?  Saw the replay of his dinger last night and just shook my head when he flung his bat.

Buster Olney wrote in his blog that Poo-holes should start getting the Bonds treatment.  If he keeps admiring his shots and flinging the bat the way he is, he'll start getting his very own treatment.  Instead of the IBB, teams will just plunk him when he comes up.

[mihoba]

Put Carlos Lee on that list too.

I like the way Berkman does it. Just lays the bat at his feet. (Maybe so he can stumble over it when he returns?)

[pravata]

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Put Carlos Lee on that list too.

I like the way Berkman does it. Just lays the bat at his feet. (Maybe so he can stumble over it when he returns?)

Lane is developing a pose.  Ensberg is the man when it comes to hitting homers.  Although, I do detect some sarcasm in his base rounding sprint.

[BudGirl]

I saw  this  the other day on a cards forum.  

And Pujols is horrible, along with Bonds, Griffey (when playing), Cameron, and a bunch of others.  I hate it when players do that.

[mihoba]

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I saw  this  the other day on a cards forum.  

And Pujols is horrible, along with Bonds, Griffey (when playing), Cameron, and a bunch of others.  I hate it when players do that.

The BFiB amuse me sometimes. Some actual think pooholes was a good defensive thirdbaseman and leftfielder.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm thinking he'll start to get some of that real soon if he keeps it up like last night.

[HudsonHawk]

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Is it just me or is his grandstanding getting worse?  Saw the replay of his dinger last night and just shook my head when he flung his bat.

Buster Olney wrote in his blog that Poo-holes should start getting the Bonds treatment.  If he keeps admiring his shots and flinging the bat the way he is, he'll start getting his very own treatment.  Instead of the IBB, teams will just plunk him when he comes up.

Pujols is undoubtedly the biggest showboater in the league.  He's also the best hitter.  You wanna stop his admiring his HRs, stop serving them up.

[Golden Sombrero]

I like MoBerg's style.  Keep your head down and run the bases quickly.  It's a smart move as it doesn't show up the pitcher and keeps you and your teammates from getting plunked (maybe Biggio would prefer it if Mo did some grandstanding).

[No? in Austin]

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I like MoBerg's style.  Keep your head down and run the bases quickly.  It's a smart move as it doesn't show up the pitcher and keeps you and your teammates from getting plunked (maybe Biggio would prefer it if Mo did some grandstanding).

Huh?  MoBerg loves to pump his fist when he gets one that is a big homerun for the team.  Been doing that for years now and it is showing up the pitchers.  In fact, some of the Astros players thought Ensberg was a bit arrogant when he first came up.   He's not as bad as he used to be for sure and yes, he rounds the bases quickly.  But if you want a model of who is good at keeping his emotions in check, look no further than Jeff Bagwell.

His was the style that most should admire and immulate, IMHO of course.

[pravata]

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I like MoBerg's style.  Keep your head down and run the bases quickly.  It's a smart move as it doesn't show up the pitcher and keeps you and your teammates from getting plunked (maybe Biggio would prefer it if Mo did some grandstanding).

Huh?  MoBerg loves to pump his fist when he gets one that is a big homerun for the team.  Been doing that for years now and it is showing up the pitchers.  In fact, some of the Astros players thought Ensberg was a bit arrogant when he first came up.   He's not as bad as he used to be for sure and yes, he rounds the bases quickly.  But if you want a model of who is good at keeping his emotions in check, look no further than Jeff Bagwell.

His was the style that most should admire and immulate, IMHO of course.

2 or 3 fist pumps and a guy gets branded for life.  None of that this season.  He's been flying around the bases.  Possibly a little too fast.  Bagwell is of course the ideal for homerun trots.  You can see him working out how he thinks he didn't get all of it on his way around.

[LonghornCDR]

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Huh?  MoBerg loves to pump his fist when he gets one that is a big homerun for the team.  Been doing that for years now and it is showing up the pitchers...  

I disagree.  A little fist pumping in a genuine display of emotion isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if it's a decisive moment.  For example, Gibson's fist pumping in '88 is great stuff.

It's admiring your own handi-work, even when your team is still down by 6 runs that most folks find over the top.

[No? in Austin]

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I disagree.  A little fist pumping in a genuine display of emotion...

One man's emotion...

If "drop the bat and run" isn't the order of the day, then it's showing up a pitcher.  Period.  Whether it's Prince Albert's bat toss, MoBerg's fist pumps, Gibson's chainsaw pulls or Sosa's bunny hop, it's showing up the pitcher.

Not that pitchers need to have tutu's put on them and enclosed in glass cases either.  But hitter's shouldn't complain when a kid get's up there and screams into his glove or pumps his fist in glory when he strikes you out either.

Iffin you want the guy to walk off the mound without any demonstration, then run the bases likewise.  And remember, pitchers and catchers always have the ability to put one in the patootie on the next batter too moreso than a hitter has the ability to hit one back at a pitcher and get his revenge.

And no charging the mound either, that's way out of bounds...

[jasonact]

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Is it just me or is his grandstanding getting worse?  Saw the replay of his dinger last night and just shook my head when he flung his bat.

Buster Olney wrote in his blog that Poo-holes should start getting the Bonds treatment.  If he keeps admiring his shots and flinging the bat the way he is, he'll start getting his very own treatment.  Instead of the IBB, teams will just plunk him when he comes up.

Give me a break. Are we REALLY going to start this again? I couldn't care less what a batter does after he hits a homerun. If he wants to turn cartwheels and run around the bases waving sparklers, be my guest! Most of the time, it's just because they are excited about their accomplishment, not revelling in the failure of the pitcher. And even if they are revelling, BIG DEAL! I'm sick of this pansy crap about being "disrespected". SUCK IT UP AND THROW THE NEXT PITCH, YOU PUSSY!

As HH posted, you want him to stop showing off? Then stop serving them up.

[LonghornCDR]

You're right.  If someone wants to look like an ass, who am I to care?

[jasonact]

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You're right.  If someone wants to look like an ass, who am I to care?

That's all I'm saying.

[WulawHorn]

another reason to be bummed about Backe going down- I think the above was his plan to commemorate HR #2.

[UpTooLate]

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You're right.  If someone wants to look like an ass, who am I to care?

Problem isn't so much when the pro's act like jerkoffs, it's when the kids that watch them begin to imitate the behavior.  I admit that imagining a MLB player running the bases with sparklers (Mike Piazza) is pretty funny, the thought of a 12 year old little leaguer admiring his shot, flinging the bat and talking shit to the opposing dugout does not set well with me.

I taking some liberty here with a quote, but IIRC Jeff Bagwell spoke with Mickey Mantle about players that grandstand after homeruns.  Mantle supposedly said something to the effect of " What are they looking at?  They've never hit a homerun before???"

[chuck]

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I like MoBerg's style.  Keep your head down and run the bases quickly.  It's a smart move as it doesn't show up the pitcher and keeps you and your teammates from getting plunked (maybe Biggio would prefer it if Mo did some grandstanding).

Huh?  MoBerg loves to pump his fist when he gets one that is a big homerun for the team.  Been doing that for years now and it is showing up the pitchers.  In fact, some of the Astros players thought Ensberg was a bit arrogant when he first came up.   He's not as bad as he used to be for sure and yes, he rounds the bases quickly.  But if you want a model of who is good at keeping his emotions in check, look no further than Jeff Bagwell.

His was the style that most should admire and immulate, IMHO of course.

2 or 3 fist pumps and a guy gets branded for life.  None of that this season.  He's been flying around the bases.  Possibly a little too fast.  Bagwell is of course the ideal for homerun trots.  You can see him working out how he thinks he didn't get all of it on his way around.

It always looked to me like he was still pissed that he'd only fouled off the preceding pitch. I miss that guy in ways I never would have imagined.

[Golden Sombrero]

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I like MoBerg's style.  Keep your head down and run the bases quickly.  It's a smart move as it doesn't show up the pitcher and keeps you and your teammates from getting plunked (maybe Biggio would prefer it if Mo did some grandstanding).

Huh?  MoBerg loves to pump his fist when he gets one that is a big homerun for the team.  Been doing that for years now and it is showing up the pitchers.  In fact, some of the Astros players thought Ensberg was a bit arrogant when he first came up.   He's not as bad as he used to be for sure and yes, he rounds the bases quickly.  But if you want a model of who is good at keeping his emotions in check, look no further than Jeff Bagwell.

His was the style that most should admire and immulate, IMHO of course.

With the fistpump, which has been noted has not been seen yet this year, I perceive more of a sudden burst of emotion and celebration.  With the case of Pujols, we have a guy who on a consistent basis pauses to admire his homer for several seconds as he slowly lumbers from out of the box.  To me, that is not spontaneous or sudden, but rather part of a plan.  The two cases are distinct.

Albert is welcome to admire his admittedly majestic moonshots.  But he shouldn't be surprised if he gets the reputation of haughty hitter.  And the messages that come with it.

[No? in Austin]

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With the fistpump, which has been noted has not been seen yet this year....

Gee, ya think someone got to him then?  Y'know, about showing up the opponent?  Any way, we're the first one to jump on Sammy Souser about his bunny hop (a sudden burst of emotion, right?) and how lame it was.  MoBerg is no different if we want to be honest about it all.  And if Albert Pujols is accused of grandstanding because he flips his bat, then just bust him in his hands next time.

Good luck with that one though.

[CrawfordBoxes]

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Is it just me or is his grandstanding getting worse?  Saw the replay of his dinger last night and just shook my head when he flung his bat.

Buster Olney wrote in his blog that Poo-holes should start getting the Bonds treatment.  If he keeps admiring his shots and flinging the bat the way he is, he'll start getting his very own treatment.  Instead of the IBB, teams will just plunk him when he comes up.

Give me a break. Are we REALLY going to start this again? I couldn't care less what a batter does after he hits a homerun. If he wants to turn cartwheels and run around the bases waving sparklers, be my guest! Most of the time, it's just because they are excited about their accomplishment, not revelling in the failure of the pitcher. And even if they are revelling, BIG DEAL! I'm sick of this pansy crap about being "disrespected". SUCK IT UP AND THROW THE NEXT PITCH, YOU PUSSY!

As HH posted, you want him to stop showing off? Then stop serving them up.

Correct. This is a mans sport. Not a little boys game. This is the majors and if your going to come with weak shit and it gets drilled out of the park then tough shit. Ensberg's pump is the best, wish I saw it some last October!

[MikeyBoy]

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Is it just me or is his grandstanding getting worse?  Saw the replay of his dinger last night and just shook my head when he flung his bat.

Buster Olney wrote in his blog that Poo-holes should start getting the Bonds treatment.  If he keeps admiring his shots and flinging the bat the way he is, he'll start getting his very own treatment.  Instead of the IBB, teams will just plunk him when he comes up.

Give me a break. Are we REALLY going to start this again? I couldn't care less what a batter does after he hits a homerun. If he wants to turn cartwheels and run around the bases waving sparklers, be my guest! Most of the time, it's just because they are excited about their accomplishment, not revelling in the failure of the pitcher. And even if they are revelling, BIG DEAL! I'm sick of this pansy crap about being "disrespected". SUCK IT UP AND THROW THE NEXT PITCH, YOU PUSSY!

As HH posted, you want him to stop showing off? Then stop serving them up.

Have you ever actually pitched? It doesn't sound like you have even sniffed a baseball field. Showing up the other team is not the way to play the game and it has nothing to with the pitcher being a pussy. Those types of actions piss off the whole team, not just the pitcher that gave up the home run.

[ValpoCory]

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2 or 3 fist pumps and a guy gets branded for life.  None of that this season.

He did give a little fist pump after his game tying home run off Chad Cordero in the Bottom of the 10th.  But not as big as last year's pumps.

[pravata]

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2 or 3 fist pumps and a guy gets branded for life.  None of that this season.

He did give a little fist pump after his game tying home run off Chad Cordero in the Bottom of the 10th.  But not as big as last year's pumps.

Last night he added a little bat toss. In the 9th, down 7-2.  What team am I watching?

[jasonact]

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Have you ever actually pitched? It doesn't sound like you have even sniffed a baseball field. Showing up the other team is not the way to play the game and it has nothing to with the pitcher being a pussy. Those types of actions piss off the whole team, not just the pitcher that gave up the home run.

Sure. I play in beer leagues every now and then, but that's not the point. I don't understand why I should care that a person is showboating. How does that affect me in any way, whether I'm the pitcher, bench player, or a fan watching on TV? It doesn't.

It's just so juvenile to care about that kind of stuff. Care about what you can do something about and forget about the ass you can't control. (And no, "beaning his ass" does not constitute control.) Half the time, you're probably wrong about his intentions anyway. Sometimes what is "showing up" to one person is "getting caught up in the excitement" to another. But even if his intentions are crystal clear, it still does not matter.

[Desperado]

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2 or 3 fist pumps and a guy gets branded for life.  None of that this season.

He did give a little fist pump after his game tying home run off Chad Cordero in the Bottom of the 10th.  But not as big as last year's pumps.

Last night he added a little bat toss. In the 9th, down 7-2.  What team am I watching?

To clarify, it was in the 8th to make it 5-2. And that was one of the tiniest bat tosses I've seen. He immediately put his head down and ran.

It's on the Astros.com homepage, if you want to watch it again.

[astro pete]

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To clarify, it was in the 8th to make it 5-2. And that was one of the tiniest bat tosses I've seen. He immediately put his head down and ran.

It's on the Astros.com homepage, if you want to watch it again.

I'm with jasonact and don't really care what Pujols does after he crushes a baseball.  But to even mention Morgan Ensberg in this thread seems silly to me.  He tossed the bat last night, pumped his fist another.  What's next on our list of Morgan's egregious baserunning antics, running the bases too fast?  Oh, that was mentioned too...

[JimR]

there is a right way to play the game and a wrong way. showboating, taunting and showing up the other team are all examples of the wrong way.

[mihoba]

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there is a right way to play the game and a wrong way. showboating, taunting and showing up the other team are all examples of the wrong way.

We old-timers know this, what goes around comes around. Puhols will fall victim to the old hidden ball trick or something similar one day.

Did you see crafty vet SS Omar Vizquel the other day? Padres had runners on first and second, 1 out, DP depth, speedy hitter at the plate. Grounder to second, flip to short, and Vizquel spins are fires to third, catching the runner rounding the bag. Classic.

[pravata]

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2 or 3 fist pumps and a guy gets branded for life.  None of that this season.

He did give a little fist pump after his game tying home run off Chad Cordero in the Bottom of the 10th.  But not as big as last year's pumps.

Last night he added a little bat toss. In the 9th, down 7-2.  What team am I watching?

To clarify, it was in the 8th to make it 5-2. And that was one of the tiniest bat tosses I've seen. He immediately put his head down and ran.

It's on the Astros.com homepage, if you want to watch it again.

Right, the 8th, I saw it the first time.

[jasonact]

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there is a right way to play the game and a wrong way. showboating, taunting and showing up the other team are all examples of the wrong way.

I would certainly agree with that, but it does no good for us to get our panties in a wad about it. If I ever see my kid doing it, rest assured he won't do it again, but I can't control what Pujols, Bonds, Ensberg, or anyone else does, so it's not worth my time to give it a second thought.

[Golden Sombrero]

I've always been a fan of Omar, harkening back to the days when I lived in Cleveland and saw him play for the Tribe when I went to the Jake.  Whenever he had one of those fantastic defensive plays that he did every day, a graphic would flash "OMAR-VELOUS!"  Lame, but catchy.

[seib22]

That was a great heads up play by Vizquel.  I remember thinking that Bagwell would be proud while watching that one.

[homer]

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there is a right way to play the game and a wrong way. showboating, taunting and showing up the other team are all examples of the wrong way.

We old-timers know this, what goes around comes around. Puhols will fall victim to the old hidden ball trick or something similar one day.

Did you see crafty vet SS Omar Vizquel the other day? Padres had runners on first and second, 1 out, DP depth, speedy hitter at the plate. Grounder to second, flip to short, and Vizquel spins are fires to third, catching the runner rounding the bag. Classic.

 Link to double play, click 'Vizquel turns amazing DP' on right hand side

[Reuben]

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Sure. I play in beer leagues every now and then, but that's not the point. I don't understand why I should care that a person is showboating. How does that affect me in any way, whether I'm the pitcher, bench player, or a fan watching on TV? It doesn't.

It's just so juvenile to care about that kind of stuff. Care about what you can do something about and forget about the ass you can't control. (And no, "beaning his ass" does not constitute control.) Half the time, you're probably wrong about his intentions anyway. Sometimes what is "showing up" to one person is "getting caught up in the excitement" to another. But even if his intentions are crystal clear, it still does not matter.

Since you brought up beer leagues- last year in a game a big guy on the other team cranks a hard single to left, and just trots down to first, obviously bored by the fact that he didn't homer. Next time up, sure enough, a smash to left; our left fielder grabs it on a hop, throws a rocket to first, and the guy's out. It was beautiful. He was so embarassed, he tried to fake an injury at first. The coach took him out of the game and the guy actually left the park.

[HudsonHawk]

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Since you brought up beer leagues- last year in a game a big guy on the other team cranks a hard single to left, and just trots down to first, obviously bored by the fact that he didn't homer. Next time up, sure enough, a smash to left; our left fielder grabs it on a hop, throws a rocket to first, and the guy's out. It was beautiful. He was so embarassed, he tried to fake an injury at first. The coach took him out of the game and the guy actually left the park.

I once got thrown out at 1B by the centerfielder.  We were playing in a really small park with about a 40-mph wind blowing straight in from CF.  I hit a bullet that almost took the pitcher's head off right up the middle.  The CFer fielded it about 10 feet behind 2B and threw me out at 1B.

[RunninRaven]

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Since you brought up beer leagues- last year in a game a big guy on the other team cranks a hard single to left, and just trots down to first, obviously bored by the fact that he didn't homer. Next time up, sure enough, a smash to left; our left fielder grabs it on a hop, throws a rocket to first, and the guy's out. It was beautiful. He was so embarassed, he tried to fake an injury at first. The coach took him out of the game and the guy actually left the park.

I did this one time in an intramural softball game...except I was a in right field. I felt bad afterwards, though, since the batter was like a 55 year old professor who wasn't slacking off, just slow. At first, since he was a nice guy, I thought he would take it well and laugh it off, but instead he gave me a withering glare and went back to the dugout. Thank god I wasn't in his class that year or any other.

[Astroholic]

There is nothing better than seeing the sheriff as the avatar in the post before your post, especially with your sig.  Reminds me of...It's tru, its tru, it's reeeallly reallllly tru!

[Astroholic]

Okay, it was funny until you removed your signature.

[mihoba]

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Link to double play, click 'Vizquel turns amazing DP' on right hand side

Thanks for the link! Dodgers, doh.

[jeffrey]

Well, Soriano sure was admiring those three he hit last night.  His walk toward first base (with the bat high in his left hand) seemed to get slower and longer with each HR.  I don't like the posing, either, but it is slightly more amusing coming from a smaller guy.

[SoonerJim]

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Put Carlos Lee on that list too.

I like the way Berkman does it. Just lays the bat at his feet. (Maybe so he can stumble over it when he returns?)

Jeff Leonard's "one flap down" was the epitome of HR grandstanding. At least we're not in NFL TD dance territory. The possibilities for roundtripper stunts are endless.