Carlos Gomez is a sack of crap.

[Bootstraps9]

Apparently some don't. What I said basically echoes what CG had to say and most are disagreeing with him. With the pointing out one CAN be a crime, I was just speaking in general.
This whole thing is pretty easy.

Can I punch a guy at work, who calls me an F'ng idiot, or do I get fired?
Can I hit my wife, when she yells or calls me a name, or do I go to jail?

Cole acted like many men do in sports, when they feel like someone is showing them up.
Is that ok? No, he surely could have handled it better.

But, Gomez coulda/shoulda laughed, made fun of his mom, yelled back, anything other than throwing a punch.

He lost his cool, in a much worse manner, IMO.

Now that everyone in the league knows Gomez can't keep his cool, he is going to need some help to do so,
because I think many others will be talking to him now, to get into his head.

If a pitcher purposely tries to hit you in the head with a 96 mph fastball, I say go do what you have to do, which may differ from CG.
But if some moron is yelling at ya, laugh at his a$$. Show a poker face, grow up and be the bigger man.
It appears this is something Gomez can't do. I suspect players/teams will continue to bait him.

So you think throwing a 95mph fastball at a guys head is more acceptable than throwing a punch? I honesty see zero difference between those two.

 

[Super Mario]

So you think throwing a 95mph fastball at a guys head is more acceptable than throwing a punch? I honesty see zero difference between those two.

Well, one could literally kill the batter.

And the other one is a weak attempt at a 'punch' by someone who doesn't really want to be fighting in the first place.

Only decent baseball fight with real hard punches I ever recall is Nolan vs Ventura.

 

[gmsieb]

So you think throwing a 95mph fastball at a guys head is more acceptable than throwing a punch? I honesty see zero difference between those two.

Read what I wrote and tell me where I said it was ok.

I said the batter could do what he has to do. Nothing about it being ok for a pitcher to do it.

 

[Bootstraps9]

Read what I wrote and tell me where I said it was ok.

I said the batter could do what he has to do. Nothing about it being ok for a pitcher to do it.

I think our thoughts on what your "you" meant were different. I believe we are in agreement

 

[hive17]

Apparently some don't. What I said basically echoes what CG had to say and most are disagreeing with him. With the pointing out one CAN be a crime, I was just speaking in general.
This whole thing is pretty easy.

Can I punch a guy at work, who calls me an F'ng idiot, or do I get fired?
Can I hit my wife, when she yells or calls me a name, or do I go to jail?

Cole acted like many men do in sports, when they feel like someone is showing them up.
Is that ok? No, he surely could have handled it better.

But, Gomez coulda/shoulda laughed, made fun of his mom, yelled back, anything other than throwing a punch.

He lost his cool, in a much worse manner, IMO.

Now that everyone in the league knows Gomez can't keep his cool, he is going to need some help to do so,
because I think many others will be talking to him now, to get into his head.

If a pitcher purposely tries to hit you in the head with a 96 mph fastball, I say go do what you have to do, which may differ from CG.
But if some moron is yelling at ya, laugh at his a$$. Show a poker face, grow up and be the bigger man.
It appears this is something Gomez can't do. I suspect players/teams will continue to bait him.

Have you even watched the replays of the incident? Cole and Gomez were jawing and Gomez was puffing out his chest and walking at Cole to intimidate him, but that "fight" was over in maybe 4 seconds. THEN, when the Pittsburg bench got involved, it escalated. Gomez never threw a punch at Cole when they were jawing, and whatever Cole said didn't cause Gomez to do anything more than become animated and loud. It was over/stopped for a second. Gomez didn't really get physical until there were 4-5 Bucs running at him. It was over. Snider was the one who kept it going and both he and Gomez were what took it up a notch.

To say it got "physical" after what Cole said is a reach. It escalated when Snider kept walking up on Gomez, who had been successfully restrained by Jim Reynolds (3rd base ump).

 

[Super Mario]

Have you even watched the replays of the incident? Cole and Gomez were jawing and Gomez was puffing out his chest and walking at Cole to intimidate him, but that "fight" was over in maybe 4 seconds. THEN, when the Pittsburg bench got involved, it escalated. Gomez never threw a punch at Cole when they were jawing, and whatever Cole said didn't cause Gomez to do anything more than become animated and loud. It was over/stopped for a second. Gomez didn't really get physical until there were 4-5 Bucs running at him. It was over. Snider was the one who kept it going and both he and Gomez were what took it up a notch.

To say it got "physical" after what Cole said is a reach. It escalated when Snider kept walking up on Gomez, who had been successfully restrained by Jim Reynolds (3rd base ump).

Maybe MLB needs a rule set in place where if a player come off the bench, he's automatically suspended for an already set number of games, even if the player doesn't physically touch anyone.

There you go. Situations like this are cut dramatically.

 

[hive17]

Maybe MLB needs a rule set in place where if a player come off the bench, he's automatically suspended for an already set number of games, even if the player doesn't physically touch anyone.

There you go. Situations like this are cut dramatically.

That's a really good idea if you want to stop these brawls. And I get the feeling that MLB takes that into account when handing out suspensions. I wouldn't be surprised if Snider and Maldonado see much harsher suspensions that Gomez.

 

[lisu]

I watched the replay, and honestly, I don't think that Gomez did anything that bad. So he looked a little too long at a ball that he thought was going out - oh well. He reacted to Cole's trash talking - oh well. It's when the other players got involved, that's when he did anything physical. Honestly, it always takes two to tango, and if Cole didn't instigate it and Snider didn't come out of the dugout, this wouldn't even be a topic of discussion. Should Gomez have gotten physical? Of course not, but it's easy to judge a guy when you're watching a video replay or a tv replay. I can imagine a lot of guys who would have done the same.

 

[aarne13]

Maybe MLB needs a rule set in place where if a player come off the bench, he's automatically suspended for an already set number of games, even if the player doesn't physically touch anyone.

There you go. Situations like this are cut dramatically.

It works in hockey. The only problem using this rule in baseball is that one team will be at a huge disadvantage.
Personally I don't have a problem with what Gomez did. I don't think he would have made it home on the play. The bat flip and jog to first only hurt him if it doesn't turn out. If Cole was going to talk smack he needs to back it up. Not walk the other way when the shat hits the fan.

 

[bmp1971]

I watched the replay, and honestly, I don't think that Gomez did anything that bad. So he looked a little too long at a ball that he thought was going out - oh well. He reacted to Cole's trash talking - oh well. It's when the other players got involved, that's when he did anything physical. Honestly, it always takes two to tango, and if Cole didn't instigate it and Snider didn't come out of the dugout, this wouldn't even be a topic of discussion. Should Gomez have gotten physical? Of course not, but it's easy to judge a guy when you're watching a video replay or a tv replay. I can imagine a lot of guys who would have done the same.

Bryce Harper was BENCHED for not running out of the box a few days ago. Why? Because in MLB there is the expectation, as professionals, to give 100% on every play, and NOT to ever do something to show up another player. Flipping his bat and gawking at his wall shot was a mistake, as I said before, and to Cole it was a bad joke, I'm sure. Maybe he's sick of Gomez from other such episodes, and so he finally said something to him. Whatever the case, Cole could have pulled a Jared Weaver and thrown at the next batter's face, and many here would applaud such "big boy" baseball, right? Instead he avoids that and opts to verbally reprimand the guy, and you all blame him for instigating the whole thing!? Gomez easily could have admitted his mistake while on 3rd and laughed it off, if he wasn't such a moron about it. Instead he challenges Cole to a fight by stepping off the bag and taking off his helmet! And Cole is still at fault? Seriously?

It's a simple code of ethics on the field to respect the other pitcher. Was his flamboyance terrible? No, it wasn't, but it was there, and on a ball that doesn't even leave the field, it is 100% laughable, which is why Cole barked at him, I'm sure.

Put the shoe on the other foot, people. Imagine if a pitcher showed-up a hitter on a strike out by flipping his glove off, staring into the zone like he was THE MAN, and paraded himself around for a while, gloating over the personal victory? Would the batter not say something at such antics? Yeah, he would. So would the entire other team.

 

[Super Mario]

It works in hockey. The only problem using this rule in baseball is that one team will be at a huge disadvantage.
Personally I don't have a problem with what Gomez did. I don't think he would have made it home on the play. The bat flip and jog to first only hurt him if it doesn't turn out. If Cole was going to talk smack he needs to back it up. Not walk the other way when the shat hits the fan.

Yeah, kind of a XXXXX move on Cole's part.

Their would obviously have to be other rules put in place if they implemented a no off the bench rule.

 

[lisu]

Bryce Harper was BENCHED for not running out of the box a few days ago. Why? Because in MLB there is the expectation, as professionals, to give 100% on every play, and NOT to ever do something to show up another player. Flipping his bat and gawking at his wall shot was a mistake, as I said before, and to Cole it was a bad joke, I'm sure. Maybe he's sick of Gomez from other such episodes, and so he finally said something to him. Whatever the case, Cole could have pulled a Jared Weaver and thrown at the next batter's face, and many here would applaud such "big boy" baseball, right? Instead he avoids that and opts to verbally reprimand the guy, and you all blame him for instigating the whole thing!? Gomez easily could have admitted his mistake while on 3rd and laughed it off, if he wasn't such a moron about it. Instead he challenges Cole to a fight by stepping off the bag and taking off his helmet! And Cole is still at fault? Seriously?

It's a simple code of ethics on the field to respect the other pitcher. Was his flamboyance terrible? No, it wasn't, but it was there, and on a ball that doesn't even leave the field, it is 100% laughable, which is why Cole barked at him, I'm sure.

Put the shoe on the other foot, people. Imagine if a pitcher showed-up a hitter on a strike out by flipping his glove off, staring into the zone like he was THE MAN, and paraded himself around for a while, gloating over the personal victory? Would the batter not say something at such antics? Yeah, he would. So would the entire other team.

I think that you're taking it a little over the top. There was no need for Cole to say anything to Gomez. If he didn't like what Gomez did, then do it within the rules of baseball which is - throw one high and tight - that is something that pitchers do. But by mouthing off, he instigated a brawl. I don't give a crap about either team, but I don't like that Cole ran his mouth and that Gomez overreacted, and then both teams totally overreacted. It's part of life, but if there wasn't the initial spark, then there wouldn't have been a fire. I can guarantee you that a lot of players would have overreacted to if Cole yelled stuff at them.

 

[Super Mario]

Bryce Harper was BENCHED for not running out of the box a few days ago.

There's a huge difference between half-@ssing is, and obviously not even trying at all. I don't think he was even half way to first when the throw made it to the bag. He intentionally went as slow as possible. He deserved to be benched. I thought he was supposed to be an old school hard nosed player?

He is coming across as a new school pampered baby.

 

[Musial Collector]

Bryce Harper was BENCHED for not running out of the box a few days ago. Why? Because in MLB there is the expectation, as professionals, to give 100% on every play, and NOT to ever do something to show up another player. Flipping his bat and gawking at his wall shot was a mistake, as I said before, and to Cole it was a bad joke, I'm sure. Maybe he's sick of Gomez from other such episodes, and so he finally said something to him. Whatever the case, Cole could have pulled a Jared Weaver and thrown at the next batter's face, and many here would applaud such "big boy" baseball, right? Instead he avoids that and opts to verbally reprimand the guy, and you all blame him for instigating the whole thing!? Gomez easily could have admitted his mistake while on 3rd and laughed it off, if he wasn't such a moron about it. Instead he challenges Cole to a fight by stepping off the bag and taking off his helmet! And Cole is still at fault? Seriously?

It's a simple code of ethics on the field to respect the other pitcher. Was his flamboyance terrible? No, it wasn't, but it was there, and on a ball that doesn't even leave the field, it is 100% laughable, which is why Cole barked at him, I'm sure.

Put the shoe on the other foot, people. Imagine if a pitcher showed-up a hitter on a strike out by flipping his glove off, staring into the zone like he was THE MAN, and paraded himself around for a while, gloating over the personal victory? Would the batter not say something at such antics? Yeah, he would. So would the entire other team.

You must be new to baseball and never witnessed Bonds, or Sosa, or McGwire, or Ortiz, or countless others stare down home run shots, or watched Paplebon or Brian Wilson or Roger Clemens, or countless other pitchers get all flamboyant with their strike out antics. Its part of baseball, like it or not, to celebrate hitting a 400+ foot bomb or striking out the opposing teams star player/s.

 

[bmp1971]

Maldonado has been fined $2,500.00 and suspended for 5 games. Prob more punishments to come too.

 

[Bootstraps9]

Bryce Harper was BENCHED for not running out of the box a few days ago. Why? Because in MLB there is the expectation, as professionals, to give 100% on every play, and NOT to ever do something to show up another player. Flipping his bat and gawking at his wall shot was a mistake, as I said before, and to Cole it was a bad joke, I'm sure. Maybe he's sick of Gomez from other such episodes, and so he finally said something to him. Whatever the case, Cole could have pulled a Jared Weaver and thrown at the next batter's face, and many here would applaud such "big boy" baseball, right? Instead he avoids that and opts to verbally reprimand the guy, and you all blame him for instigating the whole thing!? Gomez easily could have admitted his mistake while on 3rd and laughed it off, if he wasn't such a moron about it. Instead he challenges Cole to a fight by stepping off the bag and taking off his helmet! And Cole is still at fault? Seriously?

It's a simple code of ethics on the field to respect the other pitcher. Was his flamboyance terrible? No, it wasn't, but it was there, and on a ball that doesn't even leave the field, it is 100% laughable, which is why Cole barked at him, I'm sure.

Put the shoe on the other foot, people. Imagine if a pitcher showed-up a hitter on a strike out by flipping his glove off, staring into the zone like he was THE MAN, and paraded himself around for a while, gloating over the personal victory? Would the batter not say something at such antics? Yeah, he would. So would the entire other team.

People let Jose Valverde do more than Gomez did and never said a thing. As I said before Jeter pimped a ball that went all of 330 of the wall and the pitcher didn't start anything. Throw a better pitch if you don't want to a hitter to do that. If it doesn't go out laugh at him if you want, although you'll still look like a fool since you have up a triple and laughed about it. The pirates bench was the problem. They don't leave the bench nothing happens. Multiple pirates left the bench for no reason at all, as the confrontation was over. Cole needs to man up, pirates bench needs to stay there, and Gomez needs to get a thicker skin. Gomez is the third to blame in my book.

 

[bmp1971]

You must be new to baseball and never witnessed Bonds, or Sosa, or McGwire, or Ortiz, or countless others stare down home run shots, or watched Paplebon or Brian Wilson or Roger Clemens, or countless other pitchers get all flamboyant with their strike out antics. Its part of baseball, like it or not, to celebrate hitting a 400+ foot bomb or striking out the opposing teams star player/s.

Only problem is, it wasn't a home run shot. Big difference right there, for one thing.

BTW, Pap's "flamboyance" was only a celebration of winning a game, not striking out any particular player. I'm sure Wilson's was the same, although the guy is so eccentric and borderline insane that with him anything goes. And no, I never saw Clemens, at least while in Boston, do anything to show up the hitter after a K.

 

[Crewfan82]

Only problem is, it wasn't a home run shot. Big difference right there, for one thing.

Tabata pimped a double earlier in the series. Mccutchen pimped his HR the prior game. Every batter admires his work from time to time. So do pitchers, Aroldis Champman is very good at doing somersaults. The issue is Cole got buttthurt and started jaw jacking. Yes, Gomez does look stupid for going into a home run trot on a ball that didn't leave the yard, but no need for Cole to run his mouth.

 

[Musial Collector]

Only problem is, it wasn't a home run shot. Big difference right there, for one thing.

It was two feet short of a HR, wasnt like he hit it short of the warning track, by all accounts he and probably most in the stadium thought it was gone off of the bat.

 

[lisu]

Tabata pimped a double earlier in the series. Mccutchen pimped his HR the prior game. Every batter admires his work from time to time. So do pitchers, Aroldis Champman is very good at doing somersaults. The issue is Cole got buttthurt and started jaw jacking. Yes, Gomez does look stupid for going into a home run trot on a ball that didn't leave the yard, but no need for Cole to run his mouth.

True that - it looked pretty good off the bat - most guys would have only gotten a double in similar positions.