Pitchers Can Act Out, Hitters Can't??

[hellborn]

David Dellucci had some comments, not exactly complaints, about Joba Chamberlain's vigorous celebration of a strikeout of him. David seemed to be OK with Joba pumping himself up, but then pointed out that the K wasn't at a very key moment, and Dellucci himself hadn't acted like that when he hit a key HR off Joba a few nights before. Then, he wondered why it was OK for a pitcher to behave like that when batters are routinely derided for any kind of display after a big hit.
I do see a double standard here, too...the comments Manny draws are prime examples, although the biggest complaints are about him celebrating when a ball doesn't even make it out. Josh Beckett went sick over Ryan Howard doing something similar in spring training. Pitchers routinely act like 12 year olds channeling the Power Rangers after a strikeout, but batters are supposed to be modest and not show up the pitcher.
Why???

[EdTarbusz]

It is a double standard. I don't understand why a pitcher like Chamberlain needs to pump himself up. I hate seeing hitters showboat, and I also hate watching pitchers do it too. In an earlier era a guy like Chamberlain would have been eating dirt in the batters box, gotten bowled over when fielding a bunt along the first base line or been taken aside by teammates and told in no uncertain terms to act like a pro and stop showing people up, especially on a team like the Yankees.

[whoisonit]

It is a double standard. I don't understand why a pitcher like Chamberlain needs to pump himself up. I hate seeing hitters showboat, and I also hate watching pitchers do it too. In an earlier era a guy like Chamberlain would have been eating dirt in the batters box, gotten bowled over when fielding a bunt along the first base line or been taken aside by teammates and told in no uncertain terms to act like a pro and stop showing people up, especially on a team like the Yankees.

I agree the best way for the opposition to handle the situation is as you suggest. However, this kind of thing has been going on for at least 30 years now. Remember Al "The Mad Hungarian" Harabosky and offensively, Willie Montenez and his silly, bush, 'skipping step' when he hit a homer.

I don't know what to make of "especially...the Yankees". Are they somehow different, set apart, from ML teams as a whole ?

[EdTarbusz]

I don't know what to make of "especially...the Yankees". Are they somehow different, set apart, from ML teams as a whole ?

Look at the Yankees history from the time of Miller Huggins until around the time of the CBS sale. With the exception of Babe Ruth, they were an oganization of players that played and acted like professionals.This was an organization that the third string catcher could yell at guys and be taken very seriously. A guy like Chamberlain would have found himself playing for Newark, or even worse, the Browns.

[Old Sweater]

Heat of the moment comments rank right up there with 10 beer decisions.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Heat of the moment comments rank right up there with 10 beer decisions.

I disagree. You hear a lot of complaints about hitters soaking it up, etc. after home runs and people advocating that player, or even the next batter, getting plunked. Slow runs, stuff like that, as if it shows up the pitcher.

But you don't hear about it if the pitcher shows enthisiasm like that. And it's not like said celebrating pitcher would get it back, especially in the AL. It's part of their crazy routine.

Did any pitcher get on Ruppert Jones for his staredown with his bat between pitches?

[Old Sweater]

I disagree. You hear a lot of complaints about hitters soaking it up, etc. after home runs and people advocating that player, or even the next batter, getting plunked. Slow runs, stuff like that, as if it shows up the pitcher.

But you don't hear about it if the pitcher shows enthisiasm like that. And it's not like said celebrating pitcher would get it back, especially in the AL. It's part of their crazy routine.

Did any pitcher get on Ruppert Jones for his staredown with his bat between pitches?

I've heard about the hot dog pitchers since Joaquin Andujar. Where've you been?

[Captain Cold Nose]

I've heard about the hot dog pitchers since Joaquin Andujar. Where've you been?

The fact there are hot dog pitchers is not news nor is it the story here. The problem is the one-sided complaint system.

If Andujar wasn't his own worst enemy, it was probably because he drove whomever was to that point. Hot head, maybe.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

David Dellucci had some comments, not exactly complaints, about Joba Chamberlain's vigorous celebration of a strikeout of him. David seemed to be OK with Joba pumping himself up, but then pointed out that the K wasn't at a very key moment, and Dellucci himself hadn't acted like that when he hit a key HR off Joba a few nights before. Then, he wondered why it was OK for a pitcher to behave like that when batters are routinely derided for any kind of display after a big hit.
I do see a double standard here, too...the comments Manny draws are prime examples, although the biggest complaints are about him celebrating when a ball doesn't even make it out. Josh Beckett went sick over Ryan Howard doing something similar in spring training. Pitchers routinely act like 12 year olds channeling the Power Rangers after a strikeout, but batters are supposed to be modest and not show up the pitcher.
Why???

I think some are making this out to be a big deal. To be remembered, the last time they faced Dave hit a pinch home run that beat the Yanks. This was not as crucial a situation but the young Joba remembered that home run and now overreacted, this was the guy that beat me.

If he were to do this all the time, not to good. One thing to be considered, he did not direct it towards the batter, did not look towards the Indians dugout, that would have made it a big deal.

How about Dennis, The Eck. There is a clown, great reliever no doubt but his pointing right at a hitter he just retired many times, bush, bush.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

One thing for sure, when it comes to hot dogs it looks like the hitters rule in that catagory.

[Old Sweater]

One thing for sure, when it comes to hot dogs it looks like the hitters rule in that catagory.

Thats for sure. Manny has to wipe pigeon crap off of his shoulders before he starts his HR trot.

[KCGHOST]

I usually think it is the hitters who go in for "special effects" after they hit a long fly. Seems like a bunch of them like to drop the bat and just stare at the ball as it leaves the yard.

Hopefully, we won't go the NFL route where guys celebrate after they make a play even though they have just gotten their butts kicked for the last ten plays.

[ipitch]

I'd bet that Joba doesn't plan on shaking his head around after a big strikeout. It's just a natural reaction. Did you see Tiger Woods a few weeks ago? He sunk a long putt to win a tournament and then immediately threw his hat to the ground. A few seconds later his caddie handed him his hat and Tiger asked him why he had his hat. He didn't even remember throwing it to the ground, and he certainly didn't plan on doing it. It was a natural reaction.

[Wade8813]

Personally, I don't have a problem when anyone does it, unless it's WAY overboard, or if it gets too repetitive. Someone who strikes out 8+ batters a game doesn't need to make a show about it every single time. Same for someone who hits 40+ HR a season. But showing that they're happy, after a key event? Sure, no problem.

Hopefully, we won't go the NFL route where guys celebrate after they make a play even though they have just gotten their butts kicked for the last ten plays.

Sometimes, that's when you'd want to celebrate the most - you're so frustrated with yourself, and you're finally relieved that you're getting out of the slump.

I'd bet that Joba doesn't plan on shaking his head around after a big strikeout. It's just a natural reaction. Did you see Tiger Woods a few weeks ago? He sunk a long putt to win a tournament and then immediately threw his hat to the ground. A few seconds later his caddie handed him his hat and Tiger asked him why he had his hat. He didn't even remember throwing it to the ground, and he certainly didn't plan on doing it. It was a natural reaction.

Exactly. Although a more exuberant player probably should learn to keep it down a little bit.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I'd bet that Joba doesn't plan on shaking his head around after a big strikeout. It's just a natural reaction. Did you see Tiger Woods a few weeks ago? He sunk a long putt to win a tournament and then immediately threw his hat to the ground. A few seconds later his caddie handed him his hat and Tiger asked him why he had his hat. He didn't even remember throwing it to the ground, and he certainly didn't plan on doing it. It was a natural reaction.

That's winning a tournament, though. Not sinking a putt on the third hole in the second round.

I am not a fan of celbreating for the sake of celebrating. Emotion is not a bad thing. As long as some perspective is kept.