What we all saw coming in the O's-Yankees finale
It was unanimous in the Yankee Stadium press box: Edwar Ramirez's "wild pitch" thrown at Kevin Millar's head Wednesday was intentional.
The media knew it, Ramirez knew it, and the home plate umpire Mark Wegner knew it. That's why he did not hesitate to throw Ramirez out of the game. Wegner ejected the pitcher without issuing any type of warning. It was that obvious.
The move clearly was retribution for Daniel Cabrera hitting Alex Rodriquez in the 8th inning of last night's game. That particular beaming was not intentional. Anybody who's followed Cabrera's career knows he can tend to get a little wild. After all, he leads the American League in hit batsmen.
Even Alex Rodriguez knew it was an accident. Check the tape. A-Rod reacted as if there was nothing more to it. If he thought it was intentional, A-Rod would be the first to cry about it.
It was simply a wild pitch, and I was surprised to see Chad Fairchild throw Cabrera out so quickly. Apparently Dave Trembley was shocked as well. He made his displeasure known.
As for the Ramirez incident in the series finale, the timing was classless. The score was 9-2 Yankees in the 6th inning. You don't beam bean a batter when your team is up by that many runs.
Ramirez might not have been ejected had Yankee manager Joe Girardi kept his mouth shut after last night's game. Girardi told reporters, "He's done this before. I don't like it. He was down in the zone all night and you just don't like it. It's happened a few times with this guy, Daniel Cabrera."
Gee---did he think umpires don't read newspapers? They were waiting for a Yankee pitcher to so much as sneeze on an Oriole batter.
Hi Amber! (I mean, Miss Theoharis ;) )
Because of being busy the last couple days, I'm actually watching the last inning of that game right now. I honestly think it's crazy for a reliever to come in and use that little bit of time that he's in to intentional aim to hit a batter. That's not to say he wouldn't do it, I just find it goofy. I mean, I'm not a baseball player, but as a reliever, you're on the mound for limited time, so why waste that on trying to hit someone?
Again, before people respond and state the obvious, I didn't say he WOULDN'T do that, I just find it's crazy that he would. Especially with the lead.
Of course, you've already posted my response on Cabrera, so you already have my opinion on that. But you gotta love the Yankees.
Personally, I could not agree more, but then, that's baseball, or at least the way it USED to be played. You hit my guy, I hit yours, crowd the plate, you're going down. Hit a homer, stay loose in the box. Dig in, here we go again. Now it's body armor and "who's who in the umpire ejection fantasy league". Anyway, no ejections should have been handed out, the DH should be abolished, (ballplayers make enough money these days they don't need extended careers) and the pitchers should have to bat in both leagues, thereby ending the AL headhunting. Ok, that's enough, I'm outta here!
Go O's!
You are correct and if this happens in the future then the manager should be tossed as well. BTW if a pitcher is going to plunk a guy in the back but not near the head is the way to go and not your fast stuff. It was evident Ramirez was nervous about doing it and with Millarhaving friends all over expect another player to remember this stupid pitch.
Amber,
Not to be picky, but it's "bean ball," not "beaM ball". But yeah, I have to agree as well. Unfortunately, this is one of those unwritten rules of baseball, and just as your title suggests, we all saw it coming.
The Yankees showed that they are Bush League. I'm glad Giraldi passed on us 3 years ago.
BTW- Thanks to Roch I found your Blog. I was searching out his new home and found you. MASN needs to promote this website and YOUR Blog.
GREAT insight, thanks.
Have to agree.
Amber, the insights and information you bring us viewers is excellent. I think the word you want, however, is "bean" not "beam." The term comes from "bean" as a nickname for the head. Keep up the good work and I apologize for having the reflexes of an old English teacher. I wouldn't bother except that you obviously care about getting things right.