[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by legend

Perhaps I was too intense a competitor when I played sports, but I still, and always will, have a problem with guys that do these things.

On that note Legend, did you have a problem with how giddy the Yanks were when Boston was receiving their rings. I was furious - and I seemed like the only one who felt that way. Can you imagine Billy Martin, Thurman Munson, & Goose Gossage on the top step clapping? If I were Steinbrenner, I would have run down on the field and fired Torre on the spot.

[legend]

Something like that is for the fans anyway. I had still not recovered from the Yankees blowing a 3-0 series lead and Tom Gordon choking away another trip to the World Series. There will never be another Billy Martin, who, for all of his many faults, was the best strategical manager I ever saw.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by legend

Something like that is for the fans anyway. I had still not recovered from the Yankees blowing a 3-0 series lead and Tom Gordon choking away another trip to the World Series. There will never be another Billy Martin, who, for all of his many faults, was the best strategical manager I ever saw.

But did you have a problem with it? I did. They didn't have to be disrespectful. Just stay in the clubhouse when they're getting the rings. I'm surprised some Yankees didn't show up at their parade. There are no more real rivalries and genuine dislike in baseball anymore. All the players are just one big happy fraternity.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

There are no more real rivalries and genuine dislike in baseball anymore. All the players are just one big happy fraternity.

Players change Organizations too often...they have friends all over...its a different ball game.

I remember reading how Jim Bouton use to go find a friend on the other team to "mock-wrestle" with during a baseball brawl...that's the genberal attitude now...

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by ThePundit:
There are no more real rivalries and genuine dislike in baseball anymore. All the players are just one big happy fraternity.

Are you sure about that, ThePundit. I think Michael Barrett and AJ Pierzynski have a minor feud going on, there. There are probably even more fights going around behind the public's eye. I think the organizations like to hide the corruptions in their ball club. If you were an owner of a ball club, would you like to expose all the fights inside your locker-room so that you could be criticized by the Press?

[Racquetball]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Oh c'mon, it wasn't such a big deal. I smiled when I saw him going out to the outfield and slapping hands with the fans. I don't feel as though he showed up the opposition. If anything, it's refreshing to see players acknowledge the fans.

I can see why you would say that but I do think Willie Randolph did the right thing.

There are certain standards that Professional Players have to all live up to.

I didn't see anything wrong with it but I do think Willie did the right thing by having a meeting with Lastings about getting too excited and acting like a high schooler.

Manny

[Trashed]

Who can blame him for that? Opposing pitchers. If he continues his PR tour after hitting a homer as a rookie those pitchers will take great delight in throwing the ball at his face and trying to debone his jaw. Only Manny Ramirez gets away with doing the Ickey Shuffle after homers folks, Lastings shouldnt trying to be the national league version of Ramirez just yet. Hes young and has plenty of time to show hes a lowclass, smarta** like the afforementioned Red Sox player so why rush?

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by legend

If you are Armando Benitez, who has been giving up these kind of homers for a living, especially as a Met, and just blew a chance for your team to win, and now watch the kid who hit his home run running along the stands high fiving the fans, I suppose you would smile and say "Way to go youngster!"
Baseball, especially before the DH, had a code that players stuck to, or they paid a price next time up. Henry Aaron told Dusty Baker, the first time he faced Bob Gibson, "If you hit a home run, run around the bases, don't look at him, and just run inot the dugout. If you don't, he will hit you. If he hits you, don't charge the mound or he will kick the crap out of you." Baker's 17 game hitting streak ended that night.
You are talking about pride here, in a sport that demands you have it or you won't be around long. Randolph, who was taught how to play the game the right way by guys like Munson, Nettles, and the like, recognized that the kid made a mistake. A curtain call shuts the fans up for a bit and has become accepted by the pitchers. Perhaps I was too intense a competitor when I played sports, but I still, and always will, have a problem with guys that do these things.

I dont think you were too intense a competitor at all. I think by posts like this you have a unique understanding and are basically putting in black and white why players shouldnt try to show up other players in baseball. If thats the way you played sports then its a shame you had to stop because sports needs more guys like Munson, Nettles and dare I say it...you. Good post, the voice of sanity speaks.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Racquetball

I can see why you would say that but I do think Willie Randolph did the right thing.

There are certain standards that Professional Players have to all live up to.

I didn't see anything wrong with it but I do think Willie did the right thing by having a meeting with Lastings about getting too excited and acting like a high schooler.

Manny

Welcome to GoTeamsGo Raquetball. Nice to have you aboard. If Randolph is going to be consistent why not stop the curtain calls also? That's much worse to me than what Milledge did.

[EmpireWF]

The curtain calls are for the fans. Why try and take the fun out of the game for them? MLB should open up the game and try to find as much fan involvement (in any possible way) as they can.

I find it funny though that Willie Randolph isn't loved by most Mets fans.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

The curtain calls are for the fans. Why try and take the fun out of the game for them? MLB should open up the game and try to find as much fan involvement (in any possible way) as they can.

I find it funny though that Willie Randolph isn't loved by most Mets fans.

Milledge's slapping 5 was for the fans also, no?