Hamels plunks Harper... later admits he did it on purpose.

[P_Manning 18]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hamels-plunks-harper-then-admits-051013954--mlb.html;_ylt=ArsNPU4ugEEJsR1Wc6rJRYIRvLYF

He did it.... just because that what he grew up watching as a kid.


''That's something I grew up watching, that's kind of what happened. So I'm just trying to continue the old baseball because I think some people are kind of getting away from it. I remember when I was a rookie the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything because that's the way baseball is,'' Hamels said.

 

[gt2590]

And people always think Hamels is a laid-back SoCal-kind of guy LOL. The Philly fans are probably gonna love it!

NO problem with it, except that Harper scored...

 

[markakis8]

Anybody that watched the game knows it was intentional. And Bryce handled it perfect and give Hamels and the Phillies the big middle finger by stealing home and hustling out a double that would've been a single for 99.9% of other MLBers.

And the Nationals handled it perfect by beaning Hamels. And Hamels didn't make a circus out of it. He took it and moved on and threw a gem.

I thought every move by each team was great.

 

[TheRealFrankL]

Agree with markakis8 here, except to point out that Hammels "I'm so Old School" felt the need to tell everyone he meant to hit Harper, and Harper (who Hammels insinuates has an attitude problem) replied "he pitched a great game." Got that kinda backwards, Cole. <BR><BR>Harper hustles, plays hard and hasn't shown up anyone in the Majors (at least hasn't shown up anyone that didn't hit him by a pitch).  I kinda hope it gets to a point where folks see enough of Harper playing, rather than relying on ESPN or other outlets to tell them about Harper.  He's something to see.

 

[Huffamaniac]

I wonder how many games Hamels gets suspended for this

 

[TheRealFrankL]

Probably no more than one start (so 5 games?) I don't think it was such a big deal, personally.

 

[markakis8]

I'd be surprised if Hamels was suspended at all.

 

[Russ S.]

Anybody that watched the game knows it was intentional. And Bryce handled it perfect and give Hamels and the Phillies the big middle finger by stealing home and hustling out a double that would've been a single for 99.9% of other MLBers.

And the Nationals handled it perfect by beaning Hamels. And Hamels didn't make a circus out of it. He took it and moved on and threw a gem.

I thought every move by each team was great.

Bingo. Dead on!
I'm lucky by getting to watch all of the O's & Nats game, and the more and more I watch Harper, the more I like him.
He's a real gamer.

 

[tommyd2107]

Probably no more than one start (so 5 games?) I don't think it was such a big deal, personally.

he should not be suspended at all, its not like he hit him in the head and then admitted he was trying to hit him.

 

[TheRealFrankL]

I agree, which is why I thought no more than a start. But admitting it is a problem because then the Head Office looks like they won't punish hitting batters if they don't punish him. It might be necessary to keep the facade of them caring.

 

[Huffamaniac]

the fact he admitted it, means he will be getting suspended. Probably 4 games and he does not miss a turn in the rotation.

 

[tpeichel]

And people always think Hamels is a laid-back SoCal-kind of guy LOL. The Philly fans are probably gonna love it!

NO problem with it, except that Harper scored...

Actually no problem since the Phillies won, which is what really matters.

 

[phillyfan0417]

I think hamels gets suspended for owning up to it. If he doesnt, it will become more common to admit to it.

 

[tpeichel]

I'm not sure exactly why he felt the need to hit him though. Because he has a faux hawk and wears eye black? Because he hustles? Because he's young and talented? Did I miss something where he showed up the Phillies?

 

[smapdi]

Humility is the rule in the majors, especially for rookies. When you've been around for a couple years and paid some sort of dues, you can start with the hair and attitude and whatever. At least he's toned down the warpaint eyeblack. But it seems that Hamels, and probably a lot of others, wanted to see what he's made of, so he got plunked. I'd have to say his respect level went a notch or two for the way he just shook it off and ran to first. That he then ran to third and ran home on a pretty soft pickoff move without chest thumping was great baseball.

 

[TheRealFrankL]

Humility is the rule in the majors, especially for rookies. When you've been around for a couple years and paid some sort of dues, you can start with the hair and attitude and whatever. At least he's toned down the warpaint eyeblack. But it seems that Hamels, and probably a lot of others, wanted to see what he's made of, so he got plunked. I'd have to say his respect level went a notch or two for the way he just shook it off and ran to first. That he then ran to third and ran home on a pretty soft pickoff move without chest thumping was great baseball.

I understand all that, but he really hasn't shown anyone up. He's just played hard, and outhustled a lot of veterans. Forget the stealing home, he turned a sure single into a double. He's forced bad throws on bounce backs to the mound to get on base. He's just playing harder than a lot of others do, and I think there is an (unjustified) anger about that.

Hitting Harper wasn't about hitting Harper, it was about the Phillies having to take the Nationals seriously for the first time in 7 years. As far as I'm concerned, that makes Hammels a hockey goon.

 

[scottagibson]

Hamels threw at him because the kid has shown signs of being a punk. He's cocky. That whole flipping of the helmet thing, and as a previous member stated... his hair and eye black is a little "show-offish" to be so young in the bigs. But personally, I loved every minute of it. I love watching this emerging megastar play the game. He's obviously hot God-given ability and uses it game in and game out. I agree with Markakis8, great baseball by both sides. I can't wait to watch this match-up again!

 

[markakis8]

I honestly took it as a sign of respect from the Phillies. I'm sure all it did was fuel Harper's fire to be better.

 

[Todd44]

Mike Rizzo calls Cole Hamels ‘fake tough,’ calls for suspension after ‘classless, gutless’ act

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...s-gutless-act/2012/05/07/gIQAZPO07T_blog.html

 

[tpeichel]

Mike Rizzo calls Cole Hamels ‘fake tough,’ calls for suspension after ‘classless, gutless’ act

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...s-gutless-act/2012/05/07/gIQAZPO07T_blog.html

Rizzo should shut the hell up. Harper took care of it like a pro and the whole issue should just go away.