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

[craftysouthpaw]

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.

Harper has done nothing but keep his head down and play hard since he was called up. He has done nothing whatsover to warrent getting plunked beyond being 19 years old and really, really good. And I am not a Harper fan at all.

Unless there was an incident I'm not aware of, this was a BS move by Hamels. All it shows me is he wants to be a bully, he is scared, and/or he thinks it is his job to be a self appointed guardian of some old school garbage. Regardless, I think it is pathetic (again, my opinion would change if something happened that hasn't come out yet).

As for the argument this was because Harper blew kisses at a pitcher or any other behavior prior to this year, should all other players get thrown at for the way they conducted themselves when they were seniors in high school? Because if so, get the firing squad out.

 

[Wes]

To throw at a guy unprovoked is garbage. To call attention to yourself after the fact is childish. If he missed and hit him in the face would he still be patting himself on the back for being "old school?" Give me a break.

 

[saferseas]

Yes, Harper has kept his head down since he's been in the Majors....but that's not his reputation. He openly admits to being cocky. I think he will be a polarizing player, and it will be great for baseball.

 

[RL24]

So now we are complaining about guys haircuts? Give me a break.

I was wondering about this myself. I know there are a lot of unwritten rules in baseball, stuff like if you step on the pitcher's mound he'll act like you stepped on his ***... but this one is new to me.

Really though... How many years do you have to be in the MLB before you get to choose your own haircut?

 

[elmalo]

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.

He hasnt done any of that up in the bigs.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Hamels got 5 games.

 

[Nick1190]

Can someone please post that hilarious picture of Miguelcabrera with two black eyes.

 

[craftysouthpaw]

OK - I will concede the point that he is cocky. If it was baseball code to throw at guys for being cocky, again let's line up the firing squad. Baseball players and athletes as a whole aren't generally known for their humility (I would wager it is part of what makes them great athletes to begin with but that is just my opinion). Hamels isn't exactly Mr. Humber either.

So I guess it is open season to throw at anyone who is cocky? Or alternatively, do you have to earn the right to be cocky before you can do so without getting thrown at? If so, who determines when you've earned that right? The whole thing is just garbage. I hope he enjoys his vacation and the Phillies finish one game out of the playoffs when his replacement gets lit up. Then maybe Cole can sit on one of the Baseball Network studio shows during the playoffs with all the other blowhards and they can have their circle jerk about being old school.

 

[Mighty Bombjack]

I love it! Love it all the way around, and I'm a bigger fan of both players now.

 

[Brewer Andy]

He hasnt done any of that up in the bigs.

Doesn't matter

Or alternatively, do you have to earn the right to be cocky before you can do so without getting thrown at? If so, who determines when you've earned that right?

Yep, and its just a known. Albert Pujols can be cocky. Rickey Henderson could be cocky. Bryce has to earn it, easy way or the hard way. He'd earn my respect by stepping up the cockiness against Philly, I know that much!

 

[bongo870]

I loved it. it was almost like "welcome to the majors". If you think there have not been any pitchers that have not purposely hit a batter then you are living a lie. props to Cole for for admitting it. Harper got his revenge for stealing home and Cole took one off the leg for it too. I don't see anyone complaining that The nats pitcher hit Cole. And you know he did that on purpose. I find this good old time fun baseball. Just glad both teams took it all in stride. Props to Cole for having the nads to admit to it.

 

[PeteD]

Throwing at someone 'cause he's "kinda" cocky. That's it? Hamels is a moron. Philly fans that cheer him for it are morons.

Grown men acting like 12 yrs olds Give me an f'n break.

 

[ballerskrip]

Yes, Harper has kept his head down since he's been in the Majors....but that's not his reputation. He openly admits to being cocky. I think he will be a polarizing player, and it will be great for baseball.

Do you know how many MLB Players are arrogant Pieces of trash? A TON. I got to spend some time in clubhouses, and played with many guys who are now in the bigs.

Just to name a few guys that are arrogant, cocky, and down right rude to most people - Mike Napoli, Joe Saunders, Troy Percival, Troy Glaus, Bartolo Colon, Nick Swisher, Adam Kennedy, among many others.

Harper might be arrogant, but who made him that way? The media is my opinion. AND, as stated he hasn't done anything in the bigs to cause a problem or stir up a bean ball war.

Cole Hamels is a *****. Seriously. What a clown bag. And to then call himself old school? Really? Who calls themselves old school? I would laugh if he tried to be all big and bad to me in public, and talk trash with his 13 girl high pitched voice. Dude is as soft as baby ****, and he just proved it again.

 

[bongo870]

Throwing at someone 'cause he's "kinda" cocky. That's it? Hamels is a moron. Philly fans that cheer him for it are morons.

Grown men acting like 12 yrs olds Give me an f'n break.

"Stupid is as stupid does"

 

[zach]

To throw at a guy unprovoked is garbage. To call attention to yourself after the fact is childish. If he missed and hit him in the face would he still be patting himself on the back for being "old school?" Give me a break.

Agreed.

I know I'm in the minority here but I don't agree with purposely throwing at a batter. If the batter is hugging the plate and the pitcher wants to pitch him inside to brush him back...fine. But to throw at a guy on purpose is stupid.

 

[saferseas]

WOW. People are really getting cranky about this whole thing.

I wasn't trying to defend Hamels, just offer a possible explanation as to why he did it. As i said before, Harper will be good for baseball.

 

[cgilmo]

To sum up my thoughts on this...





Meh

 

[jbhofmann]

Cole, really? Really?

 

[noaskiecards]

My running shoes would take me anywhere

 

[muskiesfan]

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Harper gets a ton of attention and much of it is undeserved. I could see how that could rub some people the wrong way. Look here on the boards. Harper has been compared/being compared to Pete Rose, Mickey Mantle, and a slew of other all-time greats. I'm not saying that he can't or won't live up to any of that, but the greats that get mentioned did it for an extended period of time on the biggest stage.

Now, before anyone freaks out, I like Harper. I hope he continues to play hard and hustle. I like the fact that he busts his ass. I hope he does have a stellar career. I think a lot of people just get worn out on the "Harper is the next (insert HOFer name here)".