If I were Kevin Youkilis, I'd be embarrassed today. After getting drilled with a Rick Porcello pitch last night at Fenway, "Youk" charged the mound, threw his helmet at the Tigers pitcher (and missed) then eventually took him down with a tackle that would make any linebackers coach cringe.
Porcello actually ended up on top in the melee, mashing Youkilis' bald dome into the infield turf. Youkilis almost certainly will be suspended for the incident, and if you're going to go after the pitcher, get your money's worth and give him a few good shots. Youkilis fell short in that endeavor.
But Porcello doesn't get much credit, either. Like most pitchers, when he saw Youkilis coming, he started backpedaling like a cornerback. Just once, I'd like to see a pitcher stand his ground, or better yet, become the aggressor. Go after the hitter and meet him halfway. Get some momentum on your side.
Other than Nolan Ryan pummeling Robin Ventura in 1993, I can't think of a time when a pitcher made a hitter regret charging the mound. Youkilis should regret coming after Porcello, but it has nothing to do with Porcello.
1 comment:
I think it's safe to say the pitcher that hit former Sox second baseman Jose Offerman gets a pass. I'm not going toe-to-toe with a bat-wielding psycho.
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