The Mercedes Kerfuffle

As many of you might be aware, there was a big hubbub in the Twins-White Sox series this week. The Twins were getting crushed, down 15-4 in the 9th, and had a backup catcher, Willians Austudillo, in throwing 48 mph "fastballs". Well, a young player on the White Sox named Yermin Mercedes timed one of them up and crushed a solo homer on a 3-0 pitch. This has brought about all kinds of consternation on the part of players, managers and the public in general.

Mercedes' skipper, the ancient one Tony LaRussa, is not supporting his player and says "he is fine with the Twins throwing at Mercedes". The Twins did just that the next night, sending a fastball behind him and getting the pitcher and manager ejected. Side note. if you are going to throw at a guy and get ejected, hit him and get your money's worth.

Players, young players in particular, seem to think that there was nothing wrong with Mercedes' swinging away.

I have to say, I kind of agree there is nothing wrong with Mercedes' swinging away. LaRussa said taking there was showing respect for the opponents, but how much respect do the opponents show when someone makes an out off that position player. If Austudillo gets him out, or god forbid he strikes out, there will be laughs and high fives in the Twins dugout. Plus, these guys are pros now and careers/contracts depend on stats. How many dollars did he make in his next contract with that home run. Would he get any credit in negotiations for "taking an out for the team". Its not like he moved a runner up or anything. No, they just seem to think he should let an eminently hittable ball go by because the other team has thrown a clown act pitcher onto the field because their real pitchers couldn't get anyone out either.

I get the idea that someone on the Sox is going to get hit for this, but the Twins should focus on doing that to the guy who swung if that's the route they are going. I am completely against hitting the teammate of someone that hit a home run off you. If you are pissed/frustrated and want to drill someone, make it the guy who hit the ball and not one of his teammates. I also find it a bit hypocritical that nobody has a problem with pitchers fist pumping a big strike out, but fist pump a big home run and you are a showoff, even though strikeouts are far more common than home runs.

Anyway, enough rambling on my part. Vote your conscience and weigh in with your comments.

Here's a fun read on the unwritten rules. Mostly about how you're supposed to stop playing when you're winning.


https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the ... f-baseball

Nothing wrong with swinging 3-0. Dont steal a base. Dont bat left-handed when youre not. Dont rub it in. Dont start having fun at the other team's expense. Just go about your business and finish game. But a pitcher throws a cookie 3-0...youre supposed to take because he is not really a pitcher? Or you dont swing 3-0 because you have a big lead? Ridiculous.

CC Sabathia went OFF on Larussa, the Twins, and the unwritten rule in general. WARNING. Totally NSFW so headphones might be needed. Its 2 minutes of cussing.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/li ... d=msedgntp

Nothing wrong with swinging 3-0. Dont steal a base. Dont bat left-handed when youre not. Dont rub it in. Dont start having fun at the other team's expense. Just go about your business and finish game. But a pitcher throws a cookie 3-0...youre supposed to take because he is not really a pitcher? Or you dont swing 3-0 because you have a big lead? Ridiculous.

I totally agree with what Freeman is saying. People are saying Mercedes is showing a lack of respect to his opponent. I would say that putting your back up catcher in to pitch is also a lack of respect. Don't take extra bases etc but swinging 3-0 is ok to me.

the poll so far is more of a blowout than the twins-whitesox game was. Should I have some backup catcher create a new poll?

Alex Rodriguez: when you have the opportunity to pad your stats...especually when the game is like 15-1...man, you never turn that down. That's my unwritten rule...

You have found one thing our polarized country can agree on, Chris!

Being a usual three true outcome hitter myself--strike our swinging, strike out looking and popping out--I never gave free pitches. Hackers of the world...unite!

The embarrassment is that baseball has unwritten rules. It makes the sport seem like a bunch of wusses. Whining because a guy swung with a lead, then they also whine if a guy bunts with the lead. Where can these rules be found, anyway, so that players know what they're allowed to do? They're grown men, professionals, and if they can't handle someone pounding them when they're down they should find another profession, one that does not involve competition. That includes managers like LaRussa, too.