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

[Todd44]

I don't think this is going away any time soon.... and I think the NL East and baseball will be better bc of a potential increase in intensity in this rivalry.

I can't fault Rizzo for being honest. It was a pretty chickenshit move by Hamels. You protect some code when someone actually does something wrong, like showing up a pitcher, but not when they're just playing hard.

 

[TheRealFrankL]

I don't think this is going away any time soon.... and I think the NL East and baseball will be better bc of a potential increase in intensity in this rivalry.

I can't fault Rizzo for being honest. It was a pretty chickenshit move by Hamels. You protect some code when someone actually does something wrong, like showing up a pitcher, but not when they're just playing hard.

agreed. And it doesn't hurt to juice it up if you're still selling this series.

 

[tpeichel]

agreed. And it doesn't hurt to juice it up if you're still selling this series.

That's fine if they want to sell tickets, but the Phillies were sleep walking through the season and this game gave them a nice little jolt. Notice how the offense responded? We'll see if it carries over, but I think the Nationals should have followed Harper's lead and not turned into whiny ******* about the situation.

(I noticed Utley on the bench yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised if he gave Hamels a little "pep talk" before the game.)

 

[BowmanChromeAddict]

I don't think this is going away any time soon.... and I think the NL East and baseball will be better bc of a potential increase in intensity in this rivalry.

I can't fault Rizzo for being honest. It was a pretty chickenshit move by Hamels. You protect some code when someone actually does something wrong, like showing up a pitcher, but not when they're just playing hard.

How is it chickenshit to hit Harper when you know you'll get hit in your next at bat?

 

[hive17]

Stealing home was better retaliation than the revenge plunk.

 

[TheRealFrankL]

That's fine if they want to sell tickets, but the Phillies were sleep walking through the season and this game gave them a nice little jolt. Notice how the offense responded? We'll see if it carries over, but I think the Nationals should have followed Harper's lead and not turned into whiny ******* about the situation.

(I noticed Utley on the bench yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised if he gave Hamels a little "pep talk" before the game.)

Yes, if the Phillies get 2/3 of an inning against Ryan Perry in every game from this point forward, they will have their offensive jolt. I think that was a lot more about bad pitching than it was about some sort of chip on their shoulder.

 

[jimmyjam1973]

Hope he enjoys the suspension. Great to see Harper take his base and then stick it to him a few minutes later. Love the hustle!

 

[tpeichel]

Yes, if the Phillies get 2/3 of an inning against Ryan Perry in every game from this point forward, they will have their offensive jolt. I think that was a lot more about bad pitching than it was about some sort of chip on their shoulder.

Good point on Ryan Perry. The Phillies did have 12 base runners in 6 innings off Zimmerman though, so they did make him throw a lot of pitches and got into the bullpen early. Like I said, we'll see if the offense picks it up or not. The Mets series may be just what the Phillies need. It won't hurt to have Hunter Pence stay hot as well.

 

[TheRealFrankL]

Yeah Pence was hot. It'll be a fun go around next time, I'm sure.

 

[ronfromfresno]

Stealing home was better retaliation than the revenge plunk.

I completely agree

 

[elmalo]

I didnt follow Harper much at all in the minors, but I did hear all of this stuff about him being classless, and cocky and showing up players, etc. I havent seen anu of that so far with him in the bigs. So now we are complaining about guys haircuts? Give me a break.

 

[miguelcabrera]

the only problem i have with it was that hamels wasnt arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. harper should press charges

 

[George_Calfas]

the only problem i have with it was that hamels wasnt arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. harper should press charges

Hazing would be a better charge.

 

[alexs64]

the only problem i have with it was that hamels wasnt arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. harper should press charges

OH EM GEE......That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen you type...and boy...you type some ridiculous crap sometimes.

 

[Brewer Andy]

OH EM GEE......That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen you type...and boy...you type some ridiculous crap sometimes.

Keep in mind, he's sensitive about getting hit with baseballs

 

[miguelcabrera]

well i remember a hockey case a while ago where charges were pressed. i was joking in the post anyways

 

[saferseas]

I didnt follow Harper much at all in the minors, but I did hear all of this stuff about him being classless, and cocky and showing up players, etc. I havent seen anu of that so far with him in the bigs. So now we are complaining about guys haircuts? Give me a break.

I think that's the message Hamels was trying to send. Blowing kisses to pitchers isn't going to fly up here. Admitting it was a big mistake though. Once you ignite that rivalry, the Nats are probably going to play the Phils hard all year long.

 

[alexs64]

well i remember a hockey case a while ago where charges were pressed. i was joking in the post anyways

Then I will only rescind part of my post! LOL

 

[Pinbreaker]

Ask Bob Gibson what he would have done?

So many players crouch over the plate now with a ton of armor on their arms, that they are looking for a cheap way to get hit..

 

[tpeichel]

I heard the same things when he was in the minors, but so far he has seemed awfully mature.
The only hot dogging I saw was when he flipped off his helmet rounding first base on his first career double.

And talking about small sample sizes:

A - 258 AB
AA - 129 AB
AAA - 72 AB
MLB - 26 AB

I wish I had a huge stack of his cards.