Marlins Should Pay Price For Foul Play
Wednesday 01 September, 2010 at 11:55 pm Featured, MLB 19
Speed is the name of Morgan's game.
Let’s set the stage on this one…
Last night, in a meeting between the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals, the D.C. club’s outfielder Nyjer Morgan was involved a crash and burn play at home plate.
With the game tied 0-0 in the 10th inning, Morgan attempted to score from second on an infield force out. Seeing Florida catcher Brett Hayes with his body in a home plate-blocking position, Morgan slammed into him, putting him out of the game and injuring his shoulder.
Many opinions were offered about Morgan’s aggression and they mainly centered around the assertion that the play was unnecessary. Even ESPN’s Aaron Boone’s questioned Morgan’s bulldozing of Hayes last night.
Let me just say that any questioning of what Morgan did is absolutlely uncalled for. Hayes clearly had his foot planted over home plate in a blatant attempt to block Morgan from the plate. That being said Morgan was certainly within his rights to use force to score.
Last I checked, the runner has the right of way to any base…and when a defender puts his body between the runner and the base it is at his own risk.
So, tonight, with the incident fresh on the Marlins’ minds, the Florida pitching staff gave Morgan the business. Up 14-3 in the fourth inning, Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad threw a pitch right at Morgan – clearly hitting him as a payback for Tuesday night’s incident. Morgan brushed it off – he probably figured it was coming – and trotted to first base.
What happened next is subject to controversy. With such a large deficit, there is apparently some sort of unwritten rules that runners shouldn’t steal bases. Morgan easily swiped two bases – that’s his specialty – and then scored on a shallow pop out to right-center field. That, too, did not sit well with the Marlins.
Next time Morgan came to the plate – in the sixth – Volstad threw yet another pitch behind him. Morgan, immediately realizing that the bad blood was still there, charged the mound. He took a swing at Volstad, but was met with a Gaby Sanchez clothesline. Both benches cleared and the rest was history.
Marlins' hurler Chris Volstad threw at Morgan during two consecutive plate appearances.
There are a couple of things that irk me about professional baseball:
1. Who determines when a game is over? If Morgan decides to steal a base, isn’t it the defense’s responsibility to stop him from doing that? He’s just supposed to stop playing his game? What an idiotic assessment for any baseball player (or analyst, like Aaron Boone) to make .
2. Also, baseball needs to crack down on purposeful beanings. It amazes me that this is blindly accepted as ‘part of the game.’ Somebody on the Marlins team should be penalized for hitting a batter on purpose. The pitcher? The manager? Doesn’t matter…but the action was one that was expected and agreed upon by the Marlins, as a team. It’s straight up stupid and can be unnecessarily hurtful.
Throwing a hardball at someone because you don’t like what they did? What a punk move.
Of course, the whole scene ended with Nyjer Morgan looking like he was the one who was out of control. I think the major leagues is lucky that T Lamont is not on a team roster.
Hit me with a pitch on purpose, twice, and it’ll be Nyjer Morgan all over again.
T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com. All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this author
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Well Nyjer Morgan is a total moron. First, for what he did against the cardinals the other night. That was absolutely ridiculous. Second, if he would have slid into home instead of trying to run Hayes over, he would've been safe. So, he tried to be a tough guy and Hayes held on and made him look so stupid. Hahah good for Hayes. Last, Morgan was not acting professional at all by stealing those bases. He was only trying to boost his own stats and he a jerk. If you're gonna charge the mound, you should win the fight…. he certainly did not! He looked like a total fool. I just do not see how anybody can defend this man. He needs to be suspended for the rest of the year, no question.
couldnt agree any more
*be a jerk
Thank you "mook03005". Haha. The guy who wrote this is defintely mistaken. Morgan is just an idiot who needs to learn some morals.
I couldn't agree with you more, T. So Morgan gets plunked once. Fine. He knew it was coming. Everybody knew it was coming. He takes it like a man, trots to first, and then, like you say, swipes a few bags (which is EXACTLY what he's in the game to do), thus beginning a furious Nationals rally which actually got them back into the game. Now, apparently at 14-3 (a lead which the Marlins built in just 3 innings, I would add), and in the top of the 4th inning, there's no point in even trying anymore. Or at least, if you're a "real ballplayer" you won't. It's like Morgan said after the game: the catcher didn't even make a throw to third, because the shortstop wasn't even holding him on at second. YOU ALWAYS HOLD A GUY LIKE NYJER MORGAN ON AT SECOND. Or he'll steal third. Always. That's his game. And then in the 6th, in a much closer contest, Volstad, who wasn't even warned the first time, and against whom the Nationals elected not to retaliate, tries to plunk him again. I'm glad Nyjer's got a little heart. Baseball is a sport for men, and if you want to decry Nyjer for supposedly injuring a player with intent, then let's talk about the 6'8" guy who felt "so protected by his teammates" after he threw two 94 mph fastballs at Morgan intentionally, and then essentially backed away from the fight while his 5'10", 170 pound opponent drew nearer. And what's with the Oohs and Aahs at Gaby Sanchez's WWF move? He blindsided a guy came out for a one-on-one confrontation, a challenge which I feel he was well justified in making. Nyjer's got heart, and so does that third base coach, and as far as I can tell, they're the only ones on that team who do. Unfortunately, as you said, and this is EXACTLY how the Marlins wanted it, Morgan will take every bit of the blame for this, and MLB will make an example of him, while continuing to protect cowards like Volstad.
Forget to address this. @Mook03005: Dude, he DID get a fastball in his side the next time he was up. And he took it exactly like Willie Mays would have, which is: Drop your bat, run to first, brush it off, and keep playing hard. He stole second and third because he was PLAYING THE GAME. The Marlins weren't, apparently. They were involved in some sort of political standoff. You say that Willie would have stood up and hit the next pitch. That's what Morgan did. He went to first and kept playing the game. So please, justify your comments further, because to me, as they stand, they mean nothing.
Uncle randy youre righting like a madman….but you sir are very ignorant to how baseball is played. There's a book out now thats called The Code: Baseballs unwritten rules, which you should read. Nyjer has no class and breaks alot of these unwritten rules, including bowling over catchers when he could have slid, cussing at fans, and throwing at them blah blah blah he does it all including stealing bases in a blow out to pad his stats, now that is some rickey henderson shit right there!! But rickey could get away with it, because Rickey is Rickey. Not Nyjer is Nyjer. He was begging for an ass whoopin', and the Marlins gave it to him. Case closed can we agree that you dont know baseball now? It may have looked like the marlins were agressive but its the negative intangibles that Nyjer brings to the game that got him in this mess….
Hahhaha you're very funny, sir. Nyjer Morgan is a total IDIOT!!!! How do you not see that? Do you not know anything about how to be classy? Come on, man. How do you explain him going out of the way to hit Anderson the other night? Where's this so-called "heart" that you said he has.
to the author of this article, i PERSONALLY was at this game.. This guy (Nyjer Morgan) is considered a "professional" athlete and in tonights game (and few others in the pasts months) has this guy acted like one. His reaction tonight was childish. Watch the video's he even curses at the crowd as he being taken away. Theres so much young talent in baseball right now that this guy doesn't even deserve to be considered a professional. I'm just upset the crowd couldn't get involved and beat his ass.
You are completely right. He is just so immature and unprofessional. It disgusted me to see him walk off the field the way he did. He is a total loser and a sore loser. He's that kid at recess who starts all the arguments and acts like a real jerk.
@Toxic Productions and my boy Eric: He's a professional, but he's also a person. The guy gets pulled out of a brawl, his jersey's torn, he's fired up. Everyone's yelling at everyone. 60 year old men are yelling at 20 year old kids who came out of the bullpen. But Morgan's been ejected, and you know who's yelling at him? The fans. So he's yelling back. Smart move? Absolutely not. And had he had 5 minutes to think it over, and to consider how it (yelling back) would look to the MLB when they review this, then he wouldn't have done it. But he didn't. Baseball players are professionals, and they are paid handsomely to play a game for our viewing pleasure. They are athletes, and they are also entertainers. In baseball, catchers get run over, guys get plunked, and, occasionally, fights happen. But you can't point your finger at one guy, and then base your argument (I'm not addressing you here so much as I am "baseball guys" who will write/comment on the brawl later) on some holy book of baseball that no one's ever actually seen or read. Nyjer looked like a punk as he walked off the field. So did the Marlins manager. So did Jim Riggleman. So did Dan Uggla. As a matter of fact, Uggla was the biggest punk of all, because he had no part in ANY of it, is actually out injured right now, and was out on the field getting in people's faces and scrumming as if he'd been hit by the pitch. I respect both of y'all's opinions, but I just think both sides should be heard hear, and I know that, things as they are, they won't be.
I understand what you're saying man. I understand your opinion, as well, I just don't agree. But, we will not agree with each other on this, so there's not sense in debating. hahaha.
True that. But I always enjoy a nice debate. Glad Nyjer gave us the ammunition.
@Eric: You're correct. He didn't need to run into the Cardinals' catcher last weekend. That was uncalled for. And had he played the next day (I, for one, wish Riggleman HAD played him) I would have expected him to be hit by a pitch. To me, that's agreeable. But I would NOT expect him to be hit twice, and then be ridiculed for retaliating when A) his pitchers hadn't protected him by returning the favour and B) the umpires hadn't even warned the Marlins dugout after the first one, an action by Volstad whose motives and intent were quite clear to everyone. Morgan's certainly not faultless. It's not a coincidence that his name has popped up in these discussions more than a couple of times recently. But I admire the guy, and I hate the one-sided reporting (and the message board pile-ons, for that matter…you'd think a few of you thought you were actually IN the brawl) that will no doubt take place following tonight's game. It's easy and honestly too unoriginal to leave a message like "NYJER IZ A PUNKAZZ HE DEZERVED IT!!!!! LOL," but to me, to let the Marlins off the hook completely in this mess is unacceptable.
Thank you for acknowledging that point. But he didn't have to charge the mound the second time. I'm not saying the Marlins are perfect, but I definitely think Morgan is much more to blame. So the Marlins are pissed that Morgan (intentionally) injured Hayes (for the rest of the season) and they have to use a Double-A catcher now, and they decide to hit him. Okay, no problem there. Morgan was a jerk, he deserves it. So Morgan walks it off… good. Then he's a jerk and starts stealing bases and tagging up when his team is way down. Obviously he wanted to personally boost his stats. So they throw at him again. I find that okay because Morgan again was acting classless. But, Morgan could've had more control and not charged the mound or he could've actually connected on his first punch (which was a feeble attempt, by the way). And his walk off the field looked like how a high school athlete may act after that situation. Morgan just disgusts me.
Bottom line, Nyjer Morgan deserved what he got, and when he decided to retaliate, he couldn't back himself up.
Haha because he couldn't take down all of the Marlins at once? Because Sanchez blindsided him? First basemen and catchers are taught to subdue batters who charge the mound, not wring their necks. Sanchez knew what he was doing. And I'm not mad at him for it. But he doesn't deserve any praise for his "big" hit either. Now, if Volstad had come at Morgan (what Drysdale would have done) instead of just throwing his glove down and standing there (what Pedro Martinez would have done), and had taken him out, and Morgan had been carried off the field, then it would be fair of you to say that "he couldn't back himself up." That's not what happened. Did you see the cut under Volstad's eye? I did. Did you see any marks on Morgan? I didn't…
Uncle Randy have you ever played organized sports? I think not…and bowling doesnt count either buddy, anyhow why are you blaming the marlins on this???…Nyjer is a douche and he deserves this.Dont coddle him..And if youre not aware of this already you should know or the author should know before you post an article about the unwritten rules of baseball, like plunking, that not standing up for a collision like that of hayes, then the team has got no heart. That also means any kind of brawl that happens with the team everybody has to join in on the melee. you can be ostracized in the clubhouse as a player if you dont. Its a man's game dude…And whats with old ass Pat listach (A coach, mind you) giving Volstad a black eye. I will give you that the Marlins were a little agressive but the dude deserved it…..I think the whole MLB thinks he deserved it…. So congratulate the Marlins man..
Theres a certain way to play this game Uncle Randy, Nyjer stole 2 bases in a blow out in retaliation for being hit , the Marlins are showing the rest of the league they are not going to stand for bush-league players like Morgan who is obviously out of control.
19 comments
Well Nyjer Morgan is a total moron. First, for what he did against the cardinals the other night. That was absolutely ridiculous. Second, if he would have slid into home instead of trying to run Hayes over, he would've been safe. So, he tried to be a tough guy and Hayes held on and made him look so stupid. Hahah good for Hayes. Last, Morgan was not acting professional at all by stealing those bases. He was only trying to boost his own stats and he a jerk. If you're gonna charge the mound, you should win the fight…. he certainly did not! He looked like a total fool. I just do not see how anybody can defend this man. He needs to be suspended for the rest of the year, no question.
*be a jerk
Thank you "mook03005". Haha. The guy who wrote this is defintely mistaken. Morgan is just an idiot who needs to learn some morals.
I couldn't agree with you more, T. So Morgan gets plunked once. Fine. He knew it was coming. Everybody knew it was coming. He takes it like a man, trots to first, and then, like you say, swipes a few bags (which is EXACTLY what he's in the game to do), thus beginning a furious Nationals rally which actually got them back into the game. Now, apparently at 14-3 (a lead which the Marlins built in just 3 innings, I would add), and in the top of the 4th inning, there's no point in even trying anymore. Or at least, if you're a "real ballplayer" you won't. It's like Morgan said after the game: the catcher didn't even make a throw to third, because the shortstop wasn't even holding him on at second. YOU ALWAYS HOLD A GUY LIKE NYJER MORGAN ON AT SECOND. Or he'll steal third. Always. That's his game. And then in the 6th, in a much closer contest, Volstad, who wasn't even warned the first time, and against whom the Nationals elected not to retaliate, tries to plunk him again. I'm glad Nyjer's got a little heart. Baseball is a sport for men, and if you want to decry Nyjer for supposedly injuring a player with intent, then let's talk about the 6'8" guy who felt "so protected by his teammates" after he threw two 94 mph fastballs at Morgan intentionally, and then essentially backed away from the fight while his 5'10", 170 pound opponent drew nearer. And what's with the Oohs and Aahs at Gaby Sanchez's WWF move? He blindsided a guy came out for a one-on-one confrontation, a challenge which I feel he was well justified in making. Nyjer's got heart, and so does that third base coach, and as far as I can tell, they're the only ones on that team who do. Unfortunately, as you said, and this is EXACTLY how the Marlins wanted it, Morgan will take every bit of the blame for this, and MLB will make an example of him, while continuing to protect cowards like Volstad.
Forget to address this. @Mook03005: Dude, he DID get a fastball in his side the next time he was up. And he took it exactly like Willie Mays would have, which is: Drop your bat, run to first, brush it off, and keep playing hard. He stole second and third because he was PLAYING THE GAME. The Marlins weren't, apparently. They were involved in some sort of political standoff. You say that Willie would have stood up and hit the next pitch. That's what Morgan did. He went to first and kept playing the game. So please, justify your comments further, because to me, as they stand, they mean nothing.
Hahhaha you're very funny, sir. Nyjer Morgan is a total IDIOT!!!! How do you not see that? Do you not know anything about how to be classy? Come on, man. How do you explain him going out of the way to hit Anderson the other night? Where's this so-called "heart" that you said he has.
couldnt agree any more
to the author of this article, i PERSONALLY was at this game.. This guy (Nyjer Morgan) is considered a "professional" athlete and in tonights game (and few others in the pasts months) has this guy acted like one. His reaction tonight was childish. Watch the video's he even curses at the crowd as he being taken away. Theres so much young talent in baseball right now that this guy doesn't even deserve to be considered a professional. I'm just upset the crowd couldn't get involved and beat his ass.
@Eric: You're correct. He didn't need to run into the Cardinals' catcher last weekend. That was uncalled for. And had he played the next day (I, for one, wish Riggleman HAD played him) I would have expected him to be hit by a pitch. To me, that's agreeable. But I would NOT expect him to be hit twice, and then be ridiculed for retaliating when A) his pitchers hadn't protected him by returning the favour and B) the umpires hadn't even warned the Marlins dugout after the first one, an action by Volstad whose motives and intent were quite clear to everyone. Morgan's certainly not faultless. It's not a coincidence that his name has popped up in these discussions more than a couple of times recently. But I admire the guy, and I hate the one-sided reporting (and the message board pile-ons, for that matter…you'd think a few of you thought you were actually IN the brawl) that will no doubt take place following tonight's game. It's easy and honestly too unoriginal to leave a message like "NYJER IZ A PUNKAZZ HE DEZERVED IT!!!!! LOL," but to me, to let the Marlins off the hook completely in this mess is unacceptable.
You are completely right. He is just so immature and unprofessional. It disgusted me to see him walk off the field the way he did. He is a total loser and a sore loser. He's that kid at recess who starts all the arguments and acts like a real jerk.
Thank you for acknowledging that point. But he didn't have to charge the mound the second time. I'm not saying the Marlins are perfect, but I definitely think Morgan is much more to blame. So the Marlins are pissed that Morgan (intentionally) injured Hayes (for the rest of the season) and they have to use a Double-A catcher now, and they decide to hit him. Okay, no problem there. Morgan was a jerk, he deserves it. So Morgan walks it off… good. Then he's a jerk and starts stealing bases and tagging up when his team is way down. Obviously he wanted to personally boost his stats. So they throw at him again. I find that okay because Morgan again was acting classless. But, Morgan could've had more control and not charged the mound or he could've actually connected on his first punch (which was a feeble attempt, by the way). And his walk off the field looked like how a high school athlete may act after that situation. Morgan just disgusts me.
@Toxic Productions and my boy Eric: He's a professional, but he's also a person. The guy gets pulled out of a brawl, his jersey's torn, he's fired up. Everyone's yelling at everyone. 60 year old men are yelling at 20 year old kids who came out of the bullpen. But Morgan's been ejected, and you know who's yelling at him? The fans. So he's yelling back. Smart move? Absolutely not. And had he had 5 minutes to think it over, and to consider how it (yelling back) would look to the MLB when they review this, then he wouldn't have done it. But he didn't. Baseball players are professionals, and they are paid handsomely to play a game for our viewing pleasure. They are athletes, and they are also entertainers. In baseball, catchers get run over, guys get plunked, and, occasionally, fights happen. But you can't point your finger at one guy, and then base your argument (I'm not addressing you here so much as I am "baseball guys" who will write/comment on the brawl later) on some holy book of baseball that no one's ever actually seen or read. Nyjer looked like a punk as he walked off the field. So did the Marlins manager. So did Jim Riggleman. So did Dan Uggla. As a matter of fact, Uggla was the biggest punk of all, because he had no part in ANY of it, is actually out injured right now, and was out on the field getting in people's faces and scrumming as if he'd been hit by the pitch. I respect both of y'all's opinions, but I just think both sides should be heard hear, and I know that, things as they are, they won't be.
Bottom line, Nyjer Morgan deserved what he got, and when he decided to retaliate, he couldn't back himself up.
I understand what you're saying man. I understand your opinion, as well, I just don't agree. But, we will not agree with each other on this, so there's not sense in debating. hahaha.
Haha because he couldn't take down all of the Marlins at once? Because Sanchez blindsided him? First basemen and catchers are taught to subdue batters who charge the mound, not wring their necks. Sanchez knew what he was doing. And I'm not mad at him for it. But he doesn't deserve any praise for his "big" hit either. Now, if Volstad had come at Morgan (what Drysdale would have done) instead of just throwing his glove down and standing there (what Pedro Martinez would have done), and had taken him out, and Morgan had been carried off the field, then it would be fair of you to say that "he couldn't back himself up." That's not what happened. Did you see the cut under Volstad's eye? I did. Did you see any marks on Morgan? I didn't…
True that. But I always enjoy a nice debate. Glad Nyjer gave us the ammunition.
Uncle Randy have you ever played organized sports? I think not…and bowling doesnt count either buddy, anyhow why are you blaming the marlins on this???…Nyjer is a douche and he deserves this.Dont coddle him..And if youre not aware of this already you should know or the author should know before you post an article about the unwritten rules of baseball, like plunking, that not standing up for a collision like that of hayes, then the team has got no heart. That also means any kind of brawl that happens with the team everybody has to join in on the melee. you can be ostracized in the clubhouse as a player if you dont. Its a man's game dude…And whats with old ass Pat listach (A coach, mind you) giving Volstad a black eye. I will give you that the Marlins were a little agressive but the dude deserved it…..I think the whole MLB thinks he deserved it…. So congratulate the Marlins man..
Uncle randy youre righting like a madman….but you sir are very ignorant to how baseball is played. There's a book out now thats called The Code: Baseballs unwritten rules, which you should read. Nyjer has no class and breaks alot of these unwritten rules, including bowling over catchers when he could have slid, cussing at fans, and throwing at them blah blah blah he does it all including stealing bases in a blow out to pad his stats, now that is some rickey henderson shit right there!! But rickey could get away with it, because Rickey is Rickey. Not Nyjer is Nyjer. He was begging for an ass whoopin', and the Marlins gave it to him. Case closed can we agree that you dont know baseball now? It may have looked like the marlins were agressive but its the negative intangibles that Nyjer brings to the game that got him in this mess….
Theres a certain way to play this game Uncle Randy, Nyjer stole 2 bases in a blow out in retaliation for being hit , the Marlins are showing the rest of the league they are not going to stand for bush-league players like Morgan who is obviously out of control.
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