Sunday, October 12, 2008

BOOOOOOO!

That's for you, Dodger fan.

Anybody who's been watching (which, incidentally, may be just me) has seen there have been some tight pitches in the first couple games of the NCLS. There's only one that I can imagine could have had any intent behind it, and only one guy knows for sure. Still, it wasn't completely surprising that a Dodger pitcher went after a Philly hitter tonight. Weak, but not surprising. What was even weaker, though, was Dodger fan's reaction.

The pitcher who's name I don't know and don't care enough to look up buzzed a fastball a foot over the head of Shane Victorino. An odd choice, since he's not one of the highest profile guys in the lineup and by all accounts is a bona-fide good guy who goes out and plays hard every game with a smile on his face. Then, in an emotionally charged moment in the playoffs after having to duck a 90 mph bullet that was aimed at his melon, he responds with understanding and grace, at least to a degree. When a lesser man would have charged the mound and brought it to blows (which would have been understandable!), he basically gives permission to throw at him, just not at his head! Wow, if that isn't the coolest thing a guy could possibly do in that situation. "I get it, do what you have to do," he says, "but keep it away from the head." He ends up grounding out and is minding his own when the pitcher starts yakking at him, and eventually the benches clear and people as oustide of the situation as Manny Ramirez come charging in from left field to have to be held back. The whole time, Victorino above all people conducts himself with the highest standard of thoughtfulness and understanding -- particularly for a guy who just dodged a heater to the head.

What does Dodger fan do the rest of the game? Boo Victorino.

BOOOOOOOOOOO!

That's for you, Dodger fan. Weak sauce.

5 comments:

Luwinkle said...

Did Ross just use the phrase "weak sauce"?

Ross said...

Nope.

Well, ok -- maybe.

jered said...

I actually thought the whole exchange was handled well by everyone. Are you saying that after Ramirez was THROWN BEHIND in game 2, followed by 2 very tight pitches to Martin in Game 3, that some sort of retaliation wasn't in order?

Victorino handled himself well, too. He was right to be upset. He asked to be hit in the hip and not the head. Fair enough.

But the last thing that the sporting world needs is advice from a Philadelphia sports fan on when, and at what, to boo.

Unless you want advice on winning World Series championships from a Cubs fan like me.

Ross said...

1) WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!

2) The post is directed directly and solely at Dodger fan. I'm not saying that there was or wasn't any intend in Myers' pitch, nor that the D's should or shouldn't have "retaliated." Although I WILL agree with my boy that throwing at a guy's head is way out of line ("Ridiculous!").

3) Victorino was fantastic -- that's half my point and I'm glad we agree!

4) Come on now -- of ALL things that Philadelphia sports fans might be experts in, booing is the top of the list, isn't it?

5) For what it's worth, I'm a Phillies fan, which is the exactly the same as a Philadelphia sports fan. I'm indifferent to the Eagles (kind of like them, I guess), but HATE the 76ers. Not a minor point, I think!

6) Much respect on the last sentence.

Luwinkle said...

Random:
I know a girl that's going to get a Philadelphia Eagles tattoo.
Sad, I know.