[Bishop]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Hold on there, Bishop. You said that beaning should result in a full-year ban without pay.

But what happens if the beaner wasn't intensional?

Thats why I said the ump, commissioner, player, etc. should have some kind of a formal hearing on the subject. The player should have a chance to defend himself sure. Unfortunately like hockey fights the ol' beanball simply isnt taken seriously and the MLB brass most likely thinks that not only is it "part of the game" but its also good for the game creating some kind of controversy. Im not going to bring up Piazza again. Its a lot easier in the AL when the pitcher is free from harm by not having to bat but then again in the NL who wants to see a pitcher who has the hitting skills of a hotdog vendor bat? Its an automatic out that kills rallies but then again the DH is another long debated subject.

[Lefty Noob]

I can't see any circumstance where a first-time beanball suspension should be longer than a first time steroid suspension. Punishment doesn't fit the crime.

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I can't see any circumstance where a first-time beanball suspension should be longer than a first time steroid suspension. Punishment doesn't fit the crime.

Because beanball offenses in some instances are attempted murder and steroids is a drug where its your choice to take it. If you want to harm yourself thats one issue, if youre Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens and out to shatter a persons skull is quite another. Like I said if you got an issue with the guy hitting homeruns, beaning players and all that "thats the way the game is" crap then stop hiding behind MLB rules and after the game in the parking lot throw a baseball at the guys head...show some real balls. The batter isnt protected by the umps anyway as all they do is toss the offender out of the game and that retaliation pitch to the next batter is a joke. You got a problem with another player? Take it outside so no children have to see a grown man lying on the floor clutching his cranium ala Piazza/Clemens. It has no place in the game of baseball or any sport...or does it? I mean if its all about controversy and ratings than what better way? I remember a RedWings/Avalance playoff game where Kasparitus cheap shotted a RedWing and Scotty Bowman confronted him right out in front of Kasparitus car and his family. Now thats a man! These cheap shot artists hide behind the rules of the sports they play in the way Iraqi soldiers use human shields so for true justice to be shown it has to be done outside the rules and preferably in front of the mans family so they can see what a morally bankrupt piece of sh** is going to be driving them home for the evening. Ive said enough on this and my opinions are no better or worse than any other of the fine members on this site. Now on to other subjects like making fun of Coco Crisp's name!

[ThePundit]

So let Ortiz charge the mound. He'll be suspended. I'm not saying they should throw at his head. Throw it at his back or lower. The guy is just so comfortable up there, it's pathetic.

MVB: Regarding Torre: You're right. The guy doesn't manage anymore. He never tells his players anything. He's afraid of all of them. In the Schilling bloody sock game, how do the Yankees not try to lay down any bunts to get him off the mound? Torre should have told Jeter to lay one down leading off the game. In the same series, Varitek couldn't catch Wakefield and do the Yankees try to steal a base? Nah. Wouldn't want to interrupt Joe's enjoyment of the game...The first 5 years, Torre actually managed. Now he does nothing. I would have no problem if they let him go.

[Bishop]

If you dont want Ortiz to be comfortable up there than by all means pitch him inside and aggressively. Just dont hit the guy on purpose cuz hes trying to produce at the plate and make his team win. Anyone remember in football in 1986 when that s**mbag Tim Harris picked up Jim McMahon and slammed him to the turf about 30 seconds after the play was dead in a Packers/Bears game? It was sickening and it was no different than Piazza/Clemens (someone is gonna hit ME for keeping using those guys as an example! ). McMahon was hurt bad and never the same after that. Play aggressive guys just dont purposely try to hurt another athlete and possibly take away his chance to make a living. Thats all I ask. Is it really too much?

[MJHMarc]

So what do you think proffessional sports should do?

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

So what do you think proffessional sports should do?

Well Marc like I said in my posts have a formal hearing each time an athlete tries to intentionally injure another athlete. Im not that big a hockey fan but there was a case right before the strike (im sure one of you guys know the names) where a hockey player blindsided another hockey player from behind well away from the puck and it resulted in serious injuries and possible paralysis for the player. The injured players wife was understandably hysterical. This is not "part of the game". If it is then stop playing the damn game cuz it freakin attempted murder. Anyway the offender held a press conference and with crocodile tears begged forgiveness and said it wasnt intentional. Yeah right. This guy should have been removed from the sport and placed in a nice place called prison along with other men of his ilk such as Charles Manson and Henry Lee Lucas. Now as to your question a formal hearing in each case should be held such as the examples ive given (Clemens/Piazza, Harris/McMahon, etc.) Now of course there are accidents such as the Mike Utley case which is why the Rams DT would have been exonerated shown the tape. He merely landed on Utley in a bad position. Lawrence Taylor also I believe would have been found innocent in a sports hearing for his part in Joe Thiesman's demise. God knows LT was sorry for it. Hey you wanna pitch inside fine! You wanna hit players clean and legally great! However there is no room in society for sadistic animals like Pedro Martinez who use a baseball for injury so there especially should be no room for his antics in professional sports. The rules are there to PROTECT players not for scum like Harris and Martinez to hide behind. When it all boils down to it David Ortiz doesnt deserve to have permanent injury to his person simply because he is great hitter. He is also a human being and I a Red Sox hater insist that Ortiz is treated like one when he is in a MLB game. CASE CLOSED!

[MVB]

Nobody here said that Ortiz should be physically injured or killed. He should be "brushed off the plate"... he is WAY too comfortable when he hits. He doesn't have to be hit with a fastball or hit anywhere near the skull. Throw a breaking-ball that bounces off his hip or something. Smaller players get like that and continue playing, there's no way Ortiz is gonna get "serious injuries" from a beaning like that.

I totally agree with you about the hockey cases though... If one players hits another, he should be charged with assault and battery, just as he would is he didn't have skates on.

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by MVB

Nobody here said that Ortiz should be physically injured or killed. He should be "brushed off the plate"... he is WAY too comfortable when he hits. He doesn't have to be hit with a fastball or hit anywhere near the skull. Throw a breaking-ball that bounces off his hip or something. Smaller players get like that and continue playing, there's no way Ortiz is gonna get "serious injuries" from a beaning like that.

I totally agree with you about the hockey cases though... If one players hits another, he should be charged with assault and battery, just as he would is he didn't have skates on.

Us Yankee fans always manage to think somewhat alike!