Ya get thrown out for TAKIN' a punch?????

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

All the Cubbie fans are naturally taking Barrett's side for loyalty reasons, but Barrett was at fault here 100%.

First, he didn't have any business being on the train track when the choo-choo was coming in without possession of the baseball, so he deserved to get his clock cleaned.

Second, who cares if AJ said anything as he was going to get his helmet, which flew on the other side of Barrett? That doesn't give Barrett any right to take a cheap shot at AJ.

Barrett is no doubt frustrated because the Cubs suck so very much this year. That probably contributed to the incident in some way.

I hope he gets a hefty suspension for his cowardly act.

Steve,

The only part of your above post I would take exception to is the first part of the first sentence. (Well, and the first part of the last sentence - I'll get to that in a minute.)

I say that because I have been a Cub fan since sometime around 1964. It was kind of a long time ago, and I don't remember the exact year I lost my silly infatuation with the Drysdale/Koufax Dodgers and the Maris/Mantle Yankees.

Having said that, I find myself in complete agreement that Barrett was way out of line on this one. When I saw the replay (I was coaching a game at the time the game was being played) I couldn't believe that Barrett stayed in the way and then came up with the "sucker punch" after the collision. And I don't see where anything that A.J. may or may not have said has any bearing on the matter.

I still can't figure out what Pierzynski did that was deserving of an ejection.

The only thing I'll say in defense of Barrett is that he seems to realize what a completely classless move this was - who know, but he at least seems sincere.

In terms of your last sentence, as a Cubs fan I hope his suspension is not "hefty" - although he certainly deserves a suspension (I haven't seen anything yet on what Mr. Watson has decided). Whatever it is, it would be hard to argue with.

This will of course further "kill" the hapless Cubs because Henry Blanco, who is a fine defensive catcher, can't hit worth spit.

Sometimes (perhaps "usually" would be more apt) it's hard to be a Cubs fan. But just wait until next year! (aka "The Cubs fan's dying lament").

JM

P.S. Hey, when you're right, you're right.

[BigUmp56]

Here's another one of those White Sox bullies causing problems.






Tim.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Tim, it wasn't a sucker punch. He went chest to chest and eye to eye with Pierzynski. There's even a photo circulating of Barrett with his arm cocked back, telegraphing the punch. If Pierzynski hadn't baited him, he wouldn't have been smacked. Of course he walked away, he's a catcher and knows that attacking a guy in full pads is stupid.

The Cubs have fans all across the country. MLB knows that they will pack stadiums in cities across the land. If you recall the Marlins playoffs a few years ago, there were more Cub fans than Marlin backers. That is often the case in many parks. They are lovable losers and the Tribune company is fully aware that they only need to field a contender every five years or so.

Barrett will be the toast of Chicago while some people still don't know that the Sox won the Series last year.

[BigUmp56]

You'll get no argument from me, Windy. Pierzynski has shown time and time again that he is pretty much a classless pr**k. Giants fans were only too happy to see him pack his bags. Now, he seems well suited to the residents of the surrounding neighborhood at US Celluar Field. He chose to talk trash face to face within inches of a mans face and rightfully got smacked. Boo-hoo........



Tim.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Good Lord, I've been doing this an awful lot lately...first it was the lawyers and now you and SDS...sorry for the mix up. I'm a baseball fan first and a Cub fan second. I don't enjoy seeing a player punch another, unless it's a Cubbie delivering a knuckle sandwich to that White Sox pain in the ***.

[SanDiegoSteve]

This is the thing I am finding difficulty with. Just because Pierzynski is a class-A jerk does not mean that he deserved to get punched by Barrett. Barrett got taken out clean as a whistle, and should have just taken his lumps like a man. People are just assuming that A.J. baited Barrett into taking a swing at him, but that is just speculation. Regardless, nobody has the right to punch another person in the grill. It was a cheap shot, and a classless thing to do, and should be punished. Just because you Cubbie fans hate Pierzynski, that doesn't give anyone the right to pummel him.

Oh, yeah, GO WHITE SOX!!!!!!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

This is the thing I am finding difficulty with. Just because Pierzynski is a class-A jerk does not mean that he deserved to get punched by Barrett. Barrett got taken out clean as a whistle, and should have just taken his lumps like a man. People are just assuming that A.J. baited Barrett into taking a swing at him, but that is just speculation. Regardless, nobody has the right to punch another person in the grill. It was a cheap shot, and a classless thing to do, and should be punished. Just because you Cubbie fans hate Pierzynski, that doesn't give anyone the right to pummel him.

Oh, yeah, GO WHITE SOX!!!!!!

Well Steve in other sports it is very common to throw out the instigator in a fight (someone who does not throw a punch). Now you were not standing only few feet away from the play, you have no idea what was said or not said. This has nothing to do with who threw a punch or who did not throw a punch. This is not like the Bonds situation that took place about a week ago during the Astros/Giants game. There might have been words said that no one has talked about.

Peace