Bonds hit by pitch; fans give Springer standing O
Bonds’ chase gets a jolt from Springer
Yes, kids, sometimes a man’s just gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Perhaps that’s why I admire Russ Springer so much. Rather than just give in and walk Barry Bonds (as virtually every other pitcher in Major League Baseball has done), Springer decided that while he wasn’t about to give Bonds anything to hit, he was certainly going to make things interesting. The last time Springer faced Bonds prior to Tuesday night’s game in Houston, Springer plunked him. This time, Springer made it clear early on that he was in control over the situation, putting his first pitch to Bonds behind his back. Of course, this earned both him and Astros Manager Phil Garner a warning from Umpire Joe West, but Springer was undaunted. He pitched Bonds inside and tight four times in a row, once hitting Bonds’s bat handle. Springer’s next pitch, a slider, hit Bonds in the back, which earned Springer and Garner an ejection.
In and of itself, Springer’s actions had no impact on the outcome of the game. The Astros had already mailed in their performance, and were down 11-3 in the fifth inning of a game they would lose 14-3. It did, however, provide an exclamation point on what many baseball fans would like to see happen to Barry Bonds. Perhaps if the man weren’t such a “me first, last, and always” arrogant, mean-spirited jackass, I might be able to feel something resembling sympathy for him. Perhaps if Bonds weren’t a cheater and liar, I might be able to muster up something close to respect for his achievements. Perhaps if Bonds we’re so completely unaffected by what he is doing to the game (Bonds on Bonds, anyone??)
Perhaps Springer was trying to hit Bonds; after all, it’s not as if he hasn’t drilled him before. Nonetheless, why pitch Bonds outside where you know full well that with his bat speed and his ability to turn on the ball he could easily deposit a 93-MPH fastball in the right field seats? Why not pitch him inside? Why not pitch to him as if you’re not scared of him…and if you happen to walk him, or, better yet, drill him in the back, too bad. Bonds crowds the plate, and if a pitcher cannot establish his willingness to pitch inside, then Bonds has a huge advantage.
I would never advocate deliberately throwing at a batter. People get hurt, and careers end when things like that happen (Tony Conigliaro, anyone??). Even so, pitchers deserve to be able to establish that they can and will pitch inside. Given Russ Springer’s pitch sequence, it’s difficult to believe that he planned anything BUT hitting Bonds, but it’s not as if he was headhunting. Given what Bonds has done to tarnish the game of late, I’d have to say that Russ Springer had the right idea. Personally, I’d buy him a beer if the opportunity presented itself. Sometimes, you just have to do the right thing…and Russ Springer did exactly that.
Bravo….
