Major League Baseball will announce a series of suspensions following this week’s brawl between the White Sox and the Royals, per reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter links). Royals right-hander Brad Keller will receive a five-game ban for throwing at White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, while Anderson himself will be hit with a one-game ban “because of language used during the benches-clearing incident with Kansas City,” per Passan. Rosenthal adds that White Sox skipper Rick Renteria will receive a one-game suspension as well.
The benches-clearing incident in question — “brawl” is a questionable term for the majority of MLB on-field altercations — began with a Tim Anderson bat flip following a fourth-inning home run against Keller. Upon making contact, Anderson turned to his dugout, flipped the bat toward them and, as he tells it, yelled “let’s go” to fire up his teammates. Keller, taking exception to the showmanship, took the “old-school, unwritten rules” route and hit Anderson in with a pitch (on the hip/butt) in his next plate appearance. As is the case in every such instance, Keller transparently claimed after the game (and in an appearance on MLB Network this morning) that he was simply trying to bust Anderson inside, and a pitch “got away” from him.
The Anderson suspension is particularly surprising, as the only previous instances of a player being suspended for language have stemmed from using on-field slurs that transcend pure profanity. Passan, however, further tweets that Anderson was suspended for “racially charged” language heard by the umpiring crew. Keller’s suspension is standard in the case of pitchers throwing at players. While the suspension will cost Keller five times as much in terms of pay and MLB service time, suspensions for starting pitchers are always in five-game increments due to the fact that they ensure a pitcher will miss a start. (A suspension of one to four games wouldn’t necessarily cause a starter to miss any time at all.)
The debate over intentional plunkings has been ongoing for years, as traditionalists advocate for the upholding of “the code” of unwritten rules that has long been woven into the fabric of the game’s history. Detractors point to the fact that throwing at someone on purpose has the potential to seriously injure a player; it’s common to see pitchers badly miss a spot even when trying to throw a pitch for a strike, and it seems almost inevitable that an intentional beaning will eventually lead to a fractured wrist, concussion, etc.
Incidents like this one are now the source of further scrutiny given MLB’s “Let the kids play” marketing slogan, kicked off by an ad in which Ken Griffey Jr. calls for those “unwritten rules” to be thrown out in favor of players showing emotion on the field with celebrations for home runs, key strikeouts and other big moments. Commissioner Rob Manfred has been vocal about wanting to appeal to a younger generation of fans, and that campaign seems a key part of the effort. A second such ad aired leading up to the 2019 season, and MLB’s official Twitter account even tweeted the slogan in support of Anderson this week. If the league simply wanted to continue allowing players to “police themselves,” it wouldn’t be a surprising outcome to see them maintain the status quo. Continuing to administer a punishment that has proven meaningless, however, sends a contradictory message to the one they’re pushing in their marketing.
The debate isn’t confined solely to the game’s fan-base, of course. Players have been weighing in on the matter all week. CC Sabathia plainly stated on Buster Olney’s podcast this week (audio link) that he’s 100 percent in favor of bat flips and any other display of on-field emotion and doesn’t understand why a pitcher would be bothered by it. Reds lefty Amir Garrett tweeted that rather than throw at a batter in his next plate appearance, the pitcher should, “Strike him out, and do whatever you gotta do. Fist pump, moonwalk, cartwheel.” On the other side of the coin, Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk tweeted that players have gotten “excessive” with their celebrations and called for more stoicism.
cant complain about the suspensions. Keller was well out of line just like any pitcher that hits a batter intentionally unless said batter was personally attacking him or his team. Anderson’s was probably justified as well.
Nah, I think the unwritten rules are great for the game actually—just like I think a bat flip and showing emotion also have their place and can add to the game. It’s not—and shouldn’t be—either/or. (I wouldn’t want to rashly take fighting out of hockey, but the lack of physicality has taken something away from the NBA.) I hope Manfred recognizes this and let’s the game take its course a bit to figure this out on its own. It’s a nice tension right now between old and new.
“because of language used during the benches-clearing incident with Kansas City,”
Hahahaahhaah. Whatever.
I know, what a joke
Racially charged!
Anderson called Heller a honky/cracker?
Source? If not then your claim is as good as fake.
That is why it was formed in a question, not a statement.
How about Anderson calling Keller a weak azz f-ing nword. The New York Post
If John Lester called Adam Jones what Anderson called Keller there would be a quite different response from Manfred. One game for N word? Gurriel got five games for slanting his eyes. And one other comment. MLB is not trying to appeal to a “younger generation of fans”. Manfred should get it out in the open and say what he means.
You are ridiculously out of touch if you think those scenarios are anywhere near the same as what happened here.
Username is tycobb. Really not surprising that he is so out of touch with race stuff. He’s either a fool or being intentionally obtuse because he is upset that society doesn’t let him call black people the N word anymore
Yeah, I gotta agree with Priggs on this one. The context and ,most importantly, the person actually using that word absolutely matters. I can’t believe in this day and age that this is even debatable.
zero tolerance is zero tolerance and no one should use the N word towards anyone. no exceptions no excuses. you aren’t impressing anyone. one game is a joke and i am a sox fan.
Agreed tycobb
I can get behind a zero tolerance for all but your original point saying that it is a joke that him saying the N word is on par with Gurriel mocking another race is ridiculous
Anderson should have gotten one game just for that stupid bat flip.
Disrespectful to the game.
Done in every other nation that plays baseball, nations that, BTW, contribute half of MLB players. It’s also not against the rules.
Still doesn’t make it right. The phrase is “act like you’ve done it before.”
It’s literally an entertainment product. “That’s TOO entertaining” is a weird hill to die on.
Yes!
So we can then hold Keller responsible for deliberately escalating the situation that led directly to the brawl, right? Because if so, his suspension is far too light.
It’s a sport, a competition. What are we taught from a young age (at least some of us)? Respect your opponent.
He’s allowed to have fun. Why you hefta be mad is only game?
Yes, what happened to the way baseball used to be played? It used to be fun.
Watch ” The Battered. Bastards of Baseball” on Netflix. True story of the Portland Mavericks in the 1970’s.
Lol disrespectful to the game is a joke man. He flipped his bat. Easiest way to not get shown up at the plate is to not give up bombs
Lolololololol
Old people getting enraged by bat flipping is one of the strangest phenomena in professional sports
Or his bat flip was d-bag’ish. D-baggery is timeless.
you don’t have to be old to see his over-the-top display as disrespectful to the game. Tim Anderson acting like he’s the only guy to hit a homerun? GTFO. Trout should be the only player flipping his bat but he never does it because he has a sense of…what is it called?…respect?
You all sound like members of some street gang. Respect us, or we will escalate it by harming you. This is exactly the same logic Aaron Hernandez used. It’s a game. It’s supposed to be fun. Do you you all say “now refrain yourself, act like you’ve done this before” in the bedroom?
Someone was murdered on the baseball field? Off it? Stupid comparison there with Aaron Hernandez. Not even close.
Throwing a baseball at a player intentionally is an assault. To do so because they hurt your fragile manhood is exactly what gang members do. What to be a man? Suck it up and strike him out next time.
Throwing a baseball at a player is a hit by pitch. There is a rule where a hitter usually gets first base when hit. Again, if you want to play the assault card I would suggest taking up a non-contact sport. You do not know the meaning of “suck it up”. Or humility. Then again neither does Tim Anderson.
Baseball is not a contact sport, and virtually all excessive contact has been legislated out of the game, and results in suspensions. This includes sliding into players, barreling into players at home plate, and yes, deliberately throwing at players inside of the battling box. If it were acceptable, Keller would not have been punished. And there have been instances in sports when players who were retaliating have been criminally charged with assault when the action resulted in injury. Your era is over. Take your fragile masculinity and your antiquated sense of humility to your front porch, and yell at some kids who stepped on your lawn. Your era is ovah.
Baseball purists and most of the players are pu$$ies. What would they do if Jordan dunked on them and talked crap? What would they do if Walter Payton broke five tackles, scored and threw the ball into the nosebleeds? Assume the fetal position and cry? Pathetic. Take all these unwritten “rules” and shove them up your pride ###es.
And don’t me started about hockey players. At least they act like men, not little bois (baseball players).
*prude
Yeah, that bat flip was the epitome of bush league. A meaningless HR in April from a guy who’s literally had a good TWO WEEKS in his very underwhelming career to this point. He was definitely getting plunked after that garbage. It’s really silly, the White Sox have the worst pitching in baseball, how would they like it if every time someone went yard on them, they acted like a clown and planned a parade? Anyway, these suspensions won’t mean much in the big picture, two bad teams playing in easily the worst division in baseball.
So he deserved to get hit, and potentially injured? Please. Here is an idea. Don’t give up a home run, and there is no bat flip.
No bat flip, no drilling. Doubtful Tim Anderson would have done that to Boston or New York. Doing it against the great KC Royals makes it even more bush.
You obviously know nothing about Tim Anderson if you think that . . .
You would be correct. Nor do I care. What I know is I like Keller more for what he did.
Most don’t know or care who this clown is. I’m sure he has a back story… most people do. Who cares. As far as him “potentially getting injured?” Don’t act like a bush league idiot when you hit a meaningless HR in April, then you don’t have to worry about getting plunked. Not complicated.
I don’t see Bellinger getting drilled and he’s hitting bombs left & right. He’s also not acting like a clown when he hits him. Pretty simple.
Ok, Bryzzo. Let’s see if Baez or Contreras get plunked next time they get excited and see where you stand. Last April, Baez was in the news for flipping his bat against the Pirates when Clint Hurdle took exception. And before you say it’s okay because Baez is a star, he was about as underwhelming as anyone if you go back to last April.
As usual you are letting your hatred of the White Sox consume you. Worry about the Cubs. They have enough problems.
Ummm, what problems do the Cubs have? No team has won more games the last 4 years in baseball. 3 straight NLCS, including a ring in the bank and 4 straight post seasons (and counting) But why bring up the Cubs? They have nothing to do with this link. Also, you do realize that Baez was the runner up for MVP last year? Contreras, world champion and All Star. So maybe those aren’t two good comps for you. BTW, I don’t remember the last time either one of them were intentionally plunked.
Meanwhile, Anderson has had a very underwhelming career, basically he’s had a couple of good weeks. My Sox fans friends have been complaining about him since the W Sox called him up prematurely because they mistakenly thought they were “All In” (the same year they traded Tatis for Sheilds) only to finish with a worst record than teams ACTIVELY tanking. So after a hot two weeks, this clown thinks he’s arrived?!?? Hahaha..
Girchuk and all the other players calling him out are exactly right. Act like you’ve been there before. Don’t act like a clown after hitting a meaningless HR in APRIL in a game featuring the two worst teams in EASILY the worst division in baseball. It’s just a bad look.
Didn’t Baez literally celebrating tagging a guy out and second while he was tagging the guy out at second during the WBC? And you think a bat flip is what’s showing somebody up?
That particular play by Baez got a lot of run on MLB Network, ESPN etc… because it was a no look tag. All he did was point at Yadi and pump his fist. Great throw, GREAT tag, something Baez is known for. So, who was he showing up? Also, as the other Sox fan eluded to, Baez is a superstar on a contending team, not some clown who’s struggled since coming to the show but happens to having a good TWO WEEKS to start the season on one of the worst teams in baseball. Again, how come no one is throwing at Baez? Maybe because he’s respected and in turn, he also respects the game. If you can’t see the difference between the two, then your homerism is at a level that can’t be reasoned with.
1) He wasn’t a “superstar” to anyone but Cubs fans until last year – and this scenario happened before last season.
2) He was pumping his fist before he even made the tag. If that’s not showing up the base runner, I guess I don’t know what is.
You don’t have to be a giant homer every time you post.
1) No one had an issue with it Priggs. It got so much play because of how impressive it was that he instinctually tagged the runner out without looking, you just don’t see that. None of the commentators on any of the networks even suggested it was poor sportsmanship. They all just praised Javy, locally and nationally. Again, it was a perfect throw by Yadi and a perfect tag by Baez, nothing the baserunner did wrong. This is an odd hill that you’re dying on.
2) Yes he was, that’s why it was so impressive. Without looking, he knew they caught the runner. Again, not so much as one negative comment from players and/ or commentators on that play, only praise. This is a helluva reach by you, man.
Why do you keep calling it meaningless? Games in April have no meaning now? If the white sox are going to have an impact this year they need to get going soon. I would want a player on a team that I’m a fan of to seem to really care and try to get his team motivated.
I’m guessing this is just a Cub fan hating on a white sox player though so it’s probably pointless to even discuss with you
Nope, if some bum on KC did that after hitting a bomb off Rodon, I’d feel exactly the same way. Yes. It’s a meaningless game. Two of the worst teams in baseball playing in easily the worst division in baseball. The only drama this year for these teams is which one, if not both, will lose 100 games. Unless you expect the White Sox to even come close to contending this year? If so, then you’re right, this is a pointless discussion.
As far as a team you cheer for hitting a HR and getting excited? Sure, that’s fine. Celebrate in the dugout like most players do, unless it’s a walk off which it obviously wasn’t.
I blasted Dietrich for doing the same thing when he hit that bomb off of Archer. Even though Archer is very animated on the mound, Keller is obviously not, I still thought it was a bush league move by Dietrich. I was embarrassed for him, just like I was embarrassed for Anderson. Just not a good look.
Didn’t Contreras bat flip a walk last year?
I appreciate the reply. I am a cubs fan like you but I do think the Sox still have a shot, if only because the central is so winnable. So I think that they should be playing with that kind of playoff atmosphere high energy to get on a roll and get some momentum. They likely know that if they don’t get off to a hot start that some of the vets will be traded away.
We just differ on what we feel is appropriate. I think bat flipping is ok if it is a close game or a big game. The fact that he immediately shouted to the dugout shows to me that he was trying to get everyone amped up and it wasn’t just about showing off. That’s my interpretation of it. If you’re down 12 – 1 and you flip your bat then that is clearly only about you and you deserve to get hit.
Honestly I see more “showing up the competition” by pitchers than hitters. So often those guys are pumping their fists after striking people out and other things like that
You are all the board with your thoughts Johnny real time and you do not know what you are talking about. have you ever played the game?
If you would like to have an adult conversation then you main want to consider mentioning the points that I make that do not make sense and perhaps making some points of your own. And yes I spent my younger days playing baseball, not that that has to do with any of this
Ask any cubbie player if any of their losses in April were “meaningless” last year. Any of those losses alone would have prevented them from getting overtaken by the Brew Crew and embarrassed by the Rockies in the one game playoff
Ummmm, the difference is the Cubs are a contending team… the White Sox and the Royals are clearly not. So, yes, the Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, Yanks, Red Sox, etc… are playing in meaningful games. The White Sox and Royals are playing for draft position… thus they are playing meaningless games. They actually win when they lose… sort of.
IMO the sox are a contending team in that division. This is baseball not basketball, you can’t just pencil in all of the teams at the beginning of the season. The Cubs weren’t a contending team at the start of the 2015 season either
^^^^THIS
I don’t understand the need for you guys to compare the Cubs successful rebuild to the W Sox attempt at a rebuild. MANY teams have tried what the Cubs/Astros have done, VERY FEW achieved it. Keep in mind, Theo hit on 4 straight 1st Round picks, the W Sox have not hit on one yet. The Cubs successfully signed a top free agent that year (Lester) the Sox whiffed on Machado. I feel bad even having this discussion, it’s obvious to most that the W Sox are bad, not just at the ML level, but organizationally. Rick and Kenny are clowns. Reinsdorf’s inexplicable loyalty to bad front office guys has rendered both the Bulls and W Sox irrelevant jokes.
Seriously, you think the 2019 W Sox compare to the 2015 Cubs?!? Granted the AL Central is the worst division in baseball, unlike the NL Central in 2015, but even with that, this W Sox team is really bad. Might be the worst ML rotation I’ve seen in my life. Just hope some of these “prospects” live up to the hype and pray that Rick and Kenny can lure a legit stud FA at some point over the next couple of years. Otherwise you’re just setting yourself up for a major disappointment. Don’t worry about what the Cubs are doing and have already done, it has nothing to do with the W Sox. Good luck, both teams being good can only be a good thing for the city.
Your team is literally full of players that do this stuff every opportunity they get. LOL.
I didn’t mind it. I’m sick of this even being a story.
Are you kidding me? Baez and Contreras
Hmmmm, yet I don’t remember the last time either of them got plunked.
Look I’m not saying I don’t like the way they play, Baez is one of the most exciting players in baseball and I’m cool with it. I’m just saying, so he threw his bat big whoop
He launched that F’n thing and then immediately started running his mouth. A meaningless HR in April featuring a game between the two worst teams in the worst division in baseball. I think THAT is why so many are critical of it. It was a bush league move by a nobody player. I thought what Dietrich did against Archer was just as bad, just as bush league, but those two at least have a history, still no excuse. It’s just a bad look.
It wasn’t meaningless to him. Yes as a Sox fan i’ll agree with you, they are not going anywhere this year. So let the guy pimp a homerun who cares. Play the game like you are having fun. The other stuff Anderson did is uncalled for and deserved a suspension
Fair enough, but again, celebrate in the dugout with your teammates like most players do. He didn’t get plunked for hitting a HR, it was his bush league reaction to it. Also, he didn’t get suspended for what he did, he got suspended for what he said.
It’s Keller had used a racial slur, he be all over ESPN and people calling for his career. Anderson does it? No big deal. Hmm. Interesting. Guess he figured he could bring some attention to the white Sox cause no one else is watching them.
1) How do you know Anderson used a slur?
2) Reverse racism doesn’t exist, so stop whining
3) The team you support is one giant racial slur
1. “Passan, however, further tweets that Anderson was suspended for “racially charged” language heard by the umpiring crew.” Says it right there in the article.
2. You are correct, there is no such thing as reverse racism, just racism. Black people who hate white people just because they are white are racists all the same as white people who hate black people just because they are black. (Not calling Anderson a racist, just pointing out the facts)
3. No comment.
1. “Racially charged language” doesn’t necessarily mean a slur.
2. I’m talking about systemic racism, not individual prejudice.
Reverse racism doesn’t exist is literally the dumbest comment I have ever seen on mlb trade rumors. Congratulations sir
Ok then. Still doesn’t exist.
nypost.com/2019/04/19/white-soxs-tim-anderson-susp…
An African-American person using the n-word is not the same as a white person using it. MLB really shouldn’t be policing African-American players for using that word.
Agreed. No such thing as reverse racism, you’re either a racist or you’re not. If TA called Keller the N word, that’s just being derogatory probably out of frustration BUT it’s nowhere near as wrong than it would be if Keller said the word to Anderson. Not even sort of the same, so that’s just an ignorant stance. The bat flip (throw) and runnin his mouth was certainly bush league and a bad look, but him using the N word does not warrant a suspension in my opinion. If that’s all he did, he shouldn’t have been suspended.
If society is supposed to take that word out of their mouths, nobody should use it. What’s next, only gays can use gay slurs? Absurd…
I agree with that, no one should use that word. My point was that it’s much less of a deal that Anderson used it as opposed to Keller… for very obvious reasons.
I think we’re both mature enough to recognize the N word carries a far more forceful, negative connotation than “honky,” “cracker” or any other racial slur reserved for white people.
IMO, implying that it’s all racist and therefore one and the same is just lazy, even self-serving.
I don’t think anyone is every gonna make a big deal over a black person using the n-word. Now there’s a time in place for colloquial language which is why the 1 game suspension is cool. But let’s be realistic
Wouldn’t a better solution be to strike the guy out next time and then run up and taunt the guy?
Pretty easy for pitchers to pull this kind of stuff when they don’t have to worry about batting themselves.
Seems harsh for hitting one batter one time. There were no warnings. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Anderson getting a suspension doesn’t make any sense either.
It isn’t harsh when it’s more than obvious that is was intentional. It isn’t the same as it was ten years ago, MLB supposedly wants to stop this so there won’t be warnings for intentionally hitting a batter anymore.
The suspensions do absolutely nothing to stop it, but that’s a whole separate issue.
This game used to be about respect, but now it’s about ego… thanks, ESPN. I’d say, “let the players handle it” but most of them are fragile children – so it doesn’t work like it used to.
What language did Anderson use? Did he say something to the effect of “They just can’t let a (brother) have fun playing baseball?” Because if that’s it, it’s a completely different discussion. And if that was the context, where is the lie?
The suspension of the pitcher should be based on the spot in which the batter was hit. Keller’s pitch was in a location unlikely to cause injury. I’d say fine him and be done with. And, Keller is a “kid” and he played the game so there.
Agree – booty shots are okay, but above the belt could change a life.
He said pitch got away from him.
He was really aiming for Anderson’s Head.
Pitcher should miss 80 games. Then this would not happen so often.
And how many games for Joe West? Lol
Is the MLB setting a standard that every manager will now be suspended and player suspended for bad language? That has to be one of the worse reasons I’ve ever seen
2nd thought – hockey style. Let them go 1 on 1 on the pitcher’s mound. Any player who leaves the bench and crosses the foul line is ejected / gets a suspension.
Stop regulating, they only kiddy slap and talk tough because they know it will be broken up and make headlines.
White executives suspending a black player for N-word with an A. MLB is so hideously out of touch.
It’s a game and there are kids close to him. It’s called a job, do it at your job you could have the same repercussions.
Keller should miss at least a month.
There’s no room in sports for this kind of fragile stupidity.
If you don’t want a guy to flip his bat, maybe throw a better pitch. If your feelings are so easily hurt that you think it’s justified to physically assault another player (which is what throwing 90+ mph at someone is), then you should do jail time.
If you’ll throw at someone on tv, what will you do when you lose your temper in private?
Anderson got to go to first base. That was Keller’s punishment.
Dude, your opinions are all wrong.
Change your mind and be better.
I could have sworn a batter hit by a pitched ball gets first base so long as they make an attempt to move out of the way.
You’re right, I’m wrong. Should have called a ball and made Anderson get up, pick up his bat and continue the at bat. Good call Tim.
Unless you’re JaCoby Jones, then you can clearly stick out your padded elbow to get hit and still take first base.
Pad drilling should be a strike. That’ll show ‘em.
Thanks for the annoying cliches again. When is the last time you saw someone get significantly injured after being intentionally hit? Grow a pair. When pitchers retaliate they know the proper spots to hit someone (below the neck and above the knees) If they aim for the head then I’m with you at it being dangerous and unacceptable. They know where their pitches are going.
I wonder how fast your opinions would change if pitchers started doing “glove flips” and silly little dances, while staring down the hitter on the mound when they K’d a hitter. (Fist bumping isn’t the same)
“But but but they’re just having fun!” You can celebrate while showing sportsmanship at the same time. This sport is turning more into a clown show than ever before ever since this day and age teeny boopers decided to follow a sport they know little about.
We’re suspending for bat flips now?!
It says right in the article that he was suspended for racially charged language
No reason for Tim Anderson to bat flip like he’s some hero, mid-game against a team slated to fall in last place in the worst division in baseball. How wonderful. Pump your team up after you make the homerun official; by touching all three bases and home plate.
Would have given Keller the same number of games as Anderson. Stop giving hitters the power to do whatever they want. It’s getting tiresome. Hitting was supposed to be the hardest thing to do in baseball. Seems much harder to throw 180 innings in a season.
Starting pitchers only pitch every 5 games.
So anything less than that meaningless – except for the lost salary.
You’re kidding, right? No?
What’s the difference to the game what kind of show a player puts on? If it comes off as silly or excessive, then let his manager and coaches deal with it. The idea that he deserves to be plunked as a result… that’s the problem, not the solution.
I have no trouble with displays of emotion, so long as they aren’t directed at inciting the other team. Some people, they want to make the game not much fun at all to watch.
Tim Anderson’s display was fun? No, his display is overplayed, over dramatic and overdone. You must fist pump every time you read a story on a pitcher going down to TJ surgery, because coddling hitters have allowed this crap to get real old real fast.
It’s also April. Do it in October when it matters.
I would have respected Anderson had he just walked to first base after the drilling. His reaction was predictable from a “hey look at me” player.
Old man yells at cloud
You are free to respect him any player for what they do or don’t do, that’s every fan’s prerogative. Deciding whether any given display of player emotion is distracting from a team’s goal of winning baseball games is up to his employers, who I have no doubt would have no trouble communicating behavioral concerns to a player. If a player is hot-dogging it too much he will hear that from his manager, and that will be a lot more effective in curbing the behavior than a fastball in the buttocks.
The point (and I thought this was clear the first time) is: it should never be up to the opposing team to decide. You might have noticed that this is essentially the position taken by the umpires pretty much for as long as anyone can remember.
Yes, it was fun. Fun enough for MLB to promote it on their Twitter and say “keep doing what you’re doing” to Tim Anderson.
BlueSky only thing I’ve noticed is hitters getting away with bullcrap. If you are concerned with pitchers drilling hitters you should take up another sport that doesn’t involve contact. Good luck with that.
If Anderson is not willing to take the hit, stop the theatrics. Anyone can take the good. Can players stand the rain? Clearly not all. The league has decided to make the game all about hitting so any decision an opposing team makes will suffer consequences. Keller should have been ejected, maybe fined, not suspended. I realize 2019 MLB is softer than years past.
Young men can shake your fists at that.
Your response appears to be to a different point than the one I made. You seem to worry about some pitcher getting his feelings hurt and if they are he’s entitled to a serve up a beaning. I can’t imagine what that’s all about. If he can’t stand that little sprinkle maybe he should take up another sport, one that doesn’t involve emotion. I suggest chess, or maybe bridge.
You seeing how that works now?
Did I miss Anderson charging the mound and/or throwing punches during this “brawl”? If not, then I’m pretty sure he was willing to “take the hit.” He was standing on first base when he got ejected.
Actually he didn’t Priggs. Before he was drilled, he got up and supposedly hurled a racial slur and probably cried before benches cleared. Then the hit batter was rewarded first base. You and BlueSkies can stop rewriting the situation here.
No. According to MLB, Anderson’s suspension came as the result of what he said after the benches cleared. That’s official, bud. Then you say he “probably cried,” and you accuse somebody else of rewriting the situation? Good lord, that’s about as weak as it comes.
Next time, try responding to the facts, and what I actually wrote. I know, that’s a lot more difficult, but give it a try anyway.
“Stop rewriting the situation”
Then rewrites the situation.
Nice
“Probably” doesn’t make it a fact, kids. I guess reading is a problem for you.
Or humor. Clearly you have neither.
Yet BlueSkies has the audacity to side with a showboat while paying homage to Jackie Robinson. Imagine Robinson doing what Anderson did, and others do, in the league today. Do us a favor and change your avatar because your take on baseball is the antithesis of the great Jackie Robinson.
You might need to do some google searches. You certainly need it.
Your lack of ability to make a supposed joke look like humor isn’t the reader’s problem.
I haven’t “sided” with anyone. All that is required to understand this is reading simple English words.
And c c said he’s totally in favor of serving the suspension when you’re injured anyway.
don’t let this distract you from the fact that Keuchel and Kimbrel have to sign still.
There’s been literally no movement on either players’ market. Do we really need another post telling us that for the umpteenth time?
yep
I find this decision baffling for several different reasons:
1). MLB is using language as a justification for suspending Anderson over the bat flips.
2). Major league baseball is an inherently competitive sport. Keller got thin skinned and escalated the situation, indisputably.
3) Because of the five man rotation, both players are effectively being suspended one game for wildly different infractions. The commissioner’s office should work to find a way to suspend SPs in starts, rather than ordinary games.
He used the n word. Case closed
Context and pronunciation matter.n Keller chose to escalate a situation that led directly to the fight. He’s the greater offender and you would have to be insane to argue otherwise
He is I agree, Anderson did nothing wrong until he chose to use that language. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I’m a Sox fan I hated what the Royals did, but again two wrongs don’t make a right. I don’t want to go to a game and hear that word
Well, the game was played on the south side. So, luckily, very few fans heard him say that.
Thanks for your valued opinion!
Put aside the whole ok/not ok to throw at somebody…
the moron threw at a guy in the bottom of the 6th inning of a tie game with no outs. it shows he cares more about his fragile ego than helping his team win.
A pitcher hitting a batter after a bat flip is a team action. Has nothing to do with the pitcher’s ego.
The ball left an individual pitcher’s hand. That individual made a conscious decision to get even and act maliciously. Hold Keller responsible for his actions. It’s very simple
Sounds like you’ve never played the game. Or any team sport.
As Trout says “let the kids play.”
How do we know that Anderson in the heat of the moment was not calling someone the n word himself? Or just plain using it in general. I’m a White Sox fan and loved his bat toss, but if that is the case he deserves a suspension
Well, the game is certainly changing with the times. Every one has opinions from players, former players, coaches, broadcasters and fans. All I can say is I wish Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson was providing the play-by-play in that game. It would has been interesting because he was certainly hard core “Old School”. At least most of the time. He often mentioned in situations like this how former MLB pitchers like Drysdale, Gibson and Seaver would react in a similair situation. But again, those were the “Old Days” when Hawk played. Have a good retirement Hawk.
He was old school but also a homer, so he would be miffed about the plunking
Anderson called Keller a weak azz f-ing n word.
The New York Post…
And the White Sox LOST the game. That is the most important thing. They lost because they got the Royals angry early in the game.
They lost because Tim Anderson was ejected for no reason and Yoan Moncada was plunked in the head stealing second.
Anderson should get his behind kicked by his teammates for bat flipping in the 4th inning. The Royals came back and won the game mostly because they were ticked off at him. Stupid move. If its early in the game show some class and just run the bases and take the runs. No reason to give the opposition more adrenaline and reasons to beat you.
If you hit a game winning home run that is another thing. Show all the emotion you want. It is justified. But in the 4th inning in this game or in the 2nd inning by that idiot Dietrich it is just plain stupid.
How many times have the teams of the guys that got thrown at ever won the game? None this year. So be a smart player and do not do it early in the game. If you do, expect to get plunked and expect your team to lose the game.
Keller made a conscious decision to get even. He acted maliciously, which couldn’t be said about Anderson’s actions.
Stop defending pettiness and revenge seeking in the name of tradition and unspoken rules. It’s intellectually dishonest.
How does Anderson get one game for what he said? Guarantee Keller would have gotten 30 games, probably more if he said that to Anderson. The double standard is ridiculous.
Kevin Pillar got 2 for homophobic slurs. Should be the same here.
Not at all the same thing. You are really clueless.
Homophobic and racist language is exactly the same. Doesn’t matter what the story behind it is. No room in the game for either.
Oh jeez wait you’re the idiot that says “reverse racism” doesn’t exist. I’m not even wasting my time with you. Time to lock this thread before it gets out of hand
Lol…you clearly understand nothing about either homophobia or racism. Let me break it down for you.
An African-American using the n-word is not racist. Herero Kevin Pillar using gay slurs is homophobic. Hence, not the same thing.
Context is everything here. An African-American can use the n-word. You and I can’t, and shouldn’t. Get over it.
* Hetero Kevin Pillar, that is
^The example of inequality and cultural divide explained.
It’s not a double-standard. Do you have any idea about the history of racism in our country? Go read a few books before you whine about “reverse racism”
RACISM RACISM. It’s not reverse. Anyone can be racist towards anyone. They don’t want the word in the game. I had a black coworker fired for calling a white coworker the n word where I work. Stop using the damn word no matter your color. Period
Please go read about systemic racism and its history in our country, and stop feeling sorry for yourself over how oppressed you are
MWeller, there is no debate that this country has been (and in some cases still is) guilty of systemic racism/discrimination. Obviously racism has hurt African Americans much more dramatically than any other race. That said, there is no such thing as “reverse racism”. If you hate someone based solely on their race… you’re a racist, plain and simple.
Uh, yeah. A white guy calling a black guy the n-word is pretty damn racist, so…
Let the kids play MLB. Time to make a statement out of one of these pitchers. Man they must be a bit behind in the mental development if that’s their response to a bat flip.
Walk to the kitchen and stay there if you do not enjoy a pitcher humbling a selfish hitter.
If Mike Trout did it nobody would say a word but because it’s Tim Anderson, out come the Sox haters. As if it isn’t enough that Joe West ejected him.
Joe West is definitely not a fan of Tim Anderson.
I’ve NEVER seen Trout do some bush league garbage like that. Not once. Many of the young stars of the game don’t do that after a random HR. I remember KB, during his MVP season, going 5 for 5 w/ 3 bombs and 2 doubles in Cincy. No bat flips, no yelling or screaming like an idiot, just kept circling the bags all night. IN FACT, after his 3rd bomb, the strong contingent of Cubs fans in the stands were cheering for him to jump out of the dugout and tip his cap, even a couple of the Cubs younger players were trying to push him out of the dugout, he wouldn’t do it. He wasn’t gonna disrespect the Reds by doing that in their park.
I’ve never seen Betts, Bellinger, Altuve, or many of the young stars do that garbage. These are young, star players, Anderson has literally had TWO GOOD WEEKS in an otherwise underwhelming career to this point. No one would call him a “star”. It’s not a coincidence, star players act like they’ve done it before because they have. THAT is why so many have an issue with Anderson. It’s simply a bad look.
K.
And nothing in that rant justifies hitting a defenseless player with a ball because they hurt your feelings, which is about as big a of a punk move as there is in sports. Try getting revenge by not hitting a guy with prolific speed when there are no outs and the score tied.
Don’t think anyone should have been suspended for anything pre-scrum. Anderson reacted to early inning, April HR like he just hit a Joe Carter HR. Keller hit him in the butt. Exactly how it should be. Show exuberance, fine. But there are places & times, and limits. I know MLB thinks it’s where the $$ is, and they want to copy it, but does anyone actually want their kids to learn to act like NFL players?
Well said.
What is wrong with how NFL players act?
I’d love to see CC moonwalk off the mound. Am I right?
Although I do agree that you shouldn’t hit a batter because they hit a HR off of you and flipped their bat, I hate the excuse “Well if you don’t want to get shown up, don’t give up a home run”. No pitcher is perfect. Great pitchers give up home runs, bad pitchers give up home runs. It’s gonna happen.
How is it an excuse? Isn’t trying to win those battles what baseball is all about? If Anderson had struck out and flipped his bat towards the dugout in disgust, would Keller still have had a reason to throw at him? Of course not, but only because he won the battle. If Keller had pumped his fist and slapped his glove, would Anderson had grounds to get physical with him?
The point here is, establishing a standard for when a player is somehow justified to retaliate is like trying to nail jello to the wall. I mean is there some acceptable arc or distance for a bat flip? That’s the problem with these “unwritten rules,” nobody really knows what they are.
I’m kind of in the “act like you’ve done this before” camp when it comes to the showy bat flips. Especially in the fourth inning.
But, being unprofessional doesn’t warrant fifth degree assault with a baseball. We don’t need widespread batter-plunking unless we’re going to let the batter charge the mound, bat in hand.
Both make sense to me. Keller’s suspension is pretty par for the course as far as these things go, and Anderson getting one for calling him a “punk a— n—a”, which apparently both teams heard (and possibly fans, young or old, regardless of race) seems fine. So many of you folks are getting SO uptight about this! Guess that’s why you all don’t run the league! The bs between the Sox and cubs fans is especially pathetic hahah.