Astros Consequences Thread

[Vanimal46]

It’s time to transition away from the reports of everything they did.

 

We all had a feeling that players were going to take matters into their own hands when Manfred gave the players immunity. So far they are living up to the promise.

 

In 4 spring training games, 5 different Astros players have been hit by a pitch. Here’s some video of fans showing their disgust for the team.

 

 

I’m interested to see how long this will go into the regular season... The Astros are going to need a lot of mental toughness to get through the season.

[CharlieDee]

Wish I could have been there to help boo.

[ewen21]

 I would like to see the rest of the league turn on these guys.  If it means they have to take a lot of beanballs then OH WELL.  They were granted immunity and still can't fess up to what it is that went down.  No one but NO ONE should talk to an Astros player.  No fraternizing, not a word.

[TFRazor]

I think it'll be interesting to see how players who were on the Astros but no longer are will be treated. Is a guy like Marwin gonna get beaned a couple of times? Or is it more those who are still in the uniform?

[Vanimal46]

  On 2/26/2020 at 10:01 PM, TFRazor said:

I think it'll be interesting to see how players who were on the Astros but no longer are will be treated. Is a guy like Marwin gonna get beaned a couple of times? Or is it more those who are still in the uniform?

That’ll be interesting too. Aledymeis Diaz is one of the 5 Astros who have been plunked so far in ST and he was on the Cardinals back in 2017.

[Vanimal46]

  On 2/26/2020 at 9:50 PM, ewen21 said:

I would like to see the rest of the league turn on these guys. If it means they have to take a lot of beanballs then OH WELL. They were granted immunity and still can't fess up to what it is that went down. No one but NO ONE should talk to an Astros player. No fraternizing, not a word.

It looks like that’s already happening... The Yankees’ title of “Evil Empire” was stolen by the Astros this offseason.

 

For opposing teams that’s another advantage they have... Isolating the Astros. You know the fans are going to boo the hell out of them. Even worse, their former brotherhood turns their back on them. That’s going to make for a very long season.

[biggentleben]

Just FYI, one of the BP writers posted on Twitter that the Astros starters and hitters overall are being hit by pitches at roughly the 4th-highest and 6th-highest rate in spring. That swings each day, obviously, but while there is significant attention on each Astros HBP, there doesn't seem to be any more frequency for Houston hitters getting plunked over any other team at this point.

 

We'll see how the regular season bears out, though.

[Craig Arko]

It will be interesting to see the reactions to the fines and suspensions Manfred likely issues to those who headhunt the Astros.

[Squirrel]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 4:16 PM, biggentleben said:

Just FYI, one of the BP writers posted on Twitter that the Astros starters and hitters overall are being hit by pitches at roughly the 4th-highest and 6th-highest rate in spring. That swings each day, obviously, but while there is significant attention on each Astros HBP, there doesn't seem to be any more frequency for Houston hitters getting plunked over any other team at this point.

 

We'll see how the regular season bears out, though.

 

What I wonder, though, who is receiving the hbp ... if certain players might be getting plunked more than others?

[Squirrel]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 4:41 PM, Craig Arko said:

It will be interesting to see the reactions to the fines and suspensions Manfred likely issues to those who headhunt the Astros.

 

Yeah ... if he does that ... hmmm ... although can't imagine too many out there will want to jeopardize their own careers for that. I wouldn't. It wouldn't be worth it.

[biggentleben]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 5:32 PM, SQUIRREL said:

What I wonder, though, who is receiving the hbp ... if certain players might be getting plunked more than others?

Just for reference, no Astro has been hit twice, but 14 MLB players so far this spring have been hit multiple times. Bregman and Altuve are the only two starters on the Astros to be hit. The other five are bench guys or non-roster invitees. Aledmys Diaz started the game he got hit, so he makes 3 HBP for Astros starters of the 7 total. Seven HBP ties the Astros with four other clubs for sixth place thus far early on, though parsing out the starters' ranks is more difficult without digging into each team's individual numbers.

[biggentleben]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 4:41 PM, Craig Arko said:

It will be interesting to see the reactions to the fines and suspensions Manfred likely issues to those who headhunt the Astros.

Needless to say, Manfred best be giving out equal suspensions to anyone headhunting any player to what he gives on any Astro or things will blow up! Especially if numbers remain as they are with no discernable difference in how teams are pitching to the Astros.

[woolywoolhouse]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 6:06 PM, biggentleben said:

Needless to say, Manfred best be giving out equal suspensions to anyone headhunting any player to what he gives on any Astro or things will blow up! Especially if numbers remain as they are with no discernable difference in how teams are pitching to the Astros.

 

So the pitchers who hit Astros batters purposefully and with ill intent should get immunity to any punishment, as long as they come clean, right? Didn't Manfred say it is more important to get the truth than it is to serve punishments. At least, that's the precedent he's set here.

[KirbyDome89]

I wish there was a count for the number of posters who thrash the unwritten rules but suddenly are in favor of other teams throwing at Houston.....

 

Fans should boo them, bring trash cans to bang, find any other sort of creative way to express their disgust, ect. I'm glad other players are speaking out, even if I do feel like some of it is possibly hypocritical, but the approval or encouragement of headhunting Houston seems to fly in the face of the usual pushback on TD against such tactics.

[jkcarew]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 8:43 PM, KirbyDome89 said:

I wish there was a count for the number of posters who thrash the unwritten rules but suddenly are in favor of other teams throwing at Houston.....

 

Fans should boo them, bring trash cans to bang, find any other sort of creative way to express their disgust, ect. I'm glad other players are speaking out, even if I do feel like some of it is possibly hypocritical, but the approval or encouragement of headhunting Houston seems to fly in the face of the usual pushback on TD against such tactics.

I am also amused by this. If the pitcher is acting in response to some real or perceived slight against himself or a teammate, collectively we seem to condemn it as if it's akin to attempted murder. But, if he's acting in response to a real or perceived slight about which WE feel strongly...well, then...boys will be boys!

[Squirrel]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 8:43 PM, KirbyDome89 said:

I wish there was a count for the number of posters who thrash the unwritten rules but suddenly are in favor of other teams throwing at Houston.....

 

Fans should boo them, bring trash cans to bang, find any other sort of creative way to express their disgust, ect. I'm glad other players are speaking out, even if I do feel like some of it is possibly hypocritical, but the approval or encouragement of headhunting Houston seems to fly in the face of the usual pushback on TD against such tactics.

 

I don't think anyone here has said they are in favor of pitchers throwing at the Astros players. I think many of us think it will happen despite the dangers of it and not supporting it. 

[gunnarthor]

I think certain teams - the A's for instance - will hit the Astros. But over the course of the season, it probably won't be that big a deal. It'll be interesting to see if Cole is expected to hit someone by his current team since they are the most upset.

 

Generally, pitchers really don't like giving up the extra base runner.

[Mr. Brooks]

  On 3/4/2020 at 8:43 PM, KirbyDome89 said:

I wish there was a count for the number of posters who thrash the unwritten rules but suddenly are in favor of other teams throwing at Houston.....

 

Fans should boo them, bring trash cans to bang, find any other sort of creative way to express their disgust, ect. I'm glad other players are speaking out, even if I do feel like some of it is possibly hypocritical, but the approval or encouragement of headhunting Houston seems to fly in the face of the usual pushback on TD against such tactics.

I haven't seen one single poster who is normally against head hunting, who has called for it against Astros hitters.

[KirbyDome89]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 10:02 PM, SQUIRREL said:

I don't think anyone here has said they are in favor of pitchers throwing at the Astros players. I think many of us think it will happen despite the dangers of it and not supporting it. 

"I would like to see the rest of the league turn on these guys.If it means they have to take a lot of beanballs then OH WELL."

 

If not encouragement that seems like approval to me....

[KirbyDome89]

 

  On 3/5/2020 at 12:21 AM, Mr. Brooks said:

I haven't seen one single poster who is normally against head hunting, who has called for it against Astros hitters.

And my post isn't aimed solely at the 17 responses in this thread. There's definitely a strong sentiment on TD and elsewhere that Houston "deserves," a beating. I have a hard time believing it's only those who approve of that particular unwritten rule suddenly coming out of the woodwork to post. 

[h2oface]

 

  On 3/5/2020 at 1:12 AM, KirbyDome89 said:

And my post isn't aimed solely at the 17 responses in this thread. There's definitely a strong sentiment on TD and elsewhere that Houston "deserves," a beating. I have a hard time believing it's only those who approve of that particular unwritten rule suddenly coming out of the woodwork to post. 

 

I sense the attitone too. It is like saying, "I'm not saying they should.... but........" 

 

I will always feel that the most cowardly thing a baseball player can do it throw a ball on purpose with intent 90+ mph at another player. Of course, then they lie on top of it and say they didn't mean to. Cowards and liars.

 

Just play ball and play to win. 

 

[Squirrel]

  On 3/5/2020 at 1:12 AM, KirbyDome89 said:

And my post isn't aimed solely at the 17 responses in this thread. There's definitely a strong sentiment on TD and elsewhere that Houston "deserves," a beating. I have a hard time believing it's only those who approve of that particular unwritten rule suddenly coming out of the woodwork to post.

 

I honestly don’t see that it is a majority opinion on TD. There are one or two posters here and there that maybe think that that is the way to resolve it. Many feel, however, that the players involved should be fined or face some kind of punishment, and some have expressed that more strongly than others. This doesn’t necessarily mean they want to see bean balls thrown and anyone’s head. That is very few here. As for me, I think the players involved do deserve to face some form of punishment via MLB ... a fine, having their rings taken away, something. But I do not want to see players take matters into their own hands in such a way that could cause grievous harm. And while I don’t want to see that, and as opposed as I am to that happening, players out there are angry and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of this unwritten rules stuff comes into play. I am not a fan of unwritten rules. I’m not a fan of cheating either. And because MLB and the commissioner granted immunity, it seems as if these players got away with it, reaped all the rewards, and what ... nothing.

[Squirrel]

  On 3/5/2020 at 2:04 AM, h2oface said:

I sense the attitone too. It is like saying, "I'm not saying they should.... but........" 

 

I will always feel that the most cowardly thing a baseball player can do it throw a ball on purpose with intent 90+ mph at another player. Of course, then they lie on top of it and say they didn't mean to. Cowards and liars.

 

Just play ball and play to win.

 

I agree. But it’s also cowardly to cheat, too.

[Mr. Brooks]

  On 3/5/2020 at 1:12 AM, KirbyDome89 said:

And my post isn't aimed solely at the 17 responses in this thread. There's definitely a strong sentiment on TD and elsewhere that Houston "deserves," a beating. I have a hard time believing it's only those who approve of that particular unwritten rule suddenly coming out of the woodwork to post.

Every couple of years something will trigger a long thread here about throwing at players for retribution for some unwritten rule.

When that happens, we learn that there are alot of posters who approve of doing that.

So I don't know that it's so hard to believe that it's those same posters who approve of throwing at Astros hitters.

[Platoon]

Some here use the term head hunting. Head hunting and throwing at some guy from the belt  on down are two completely different acts. One is an intent to severely injure. The other is an intent to send a message. While I realize that not everyone discerns the difference, I do think the players do. As do I. If you asked me if it’s ok to plunk George Springer in the butt to thank him for stealing signs, I would be fine with that. If you asked me if it was ok to throw at George Springers head for the same reason I would be vehemently against it. 

[Squirrel]

  On 3/5/2020 at 11:26 AM, Mr. Brooks said:

Every couple of years something will trigger a long thread here about throwing at players for retribution for some unwritten rule.

When that happens, we learn that there are alot of posters who approve of doing that.

So I don't know that it's so hard to believe that it's those same posters who approve of throwing at Astros hitters.

I don’t think it’s a lot, though. Yes, there are some, and I know of two off the top of my head. Most are the against it. I think intentionally throwing at someone is bad, and I don’t agree with it. I think unwritten rules, are for the most part, dumb. To relate this to the topic, I think despite not being okay with it, as I am, I think it will happen. And I am very interested how the commissioner handles it. The Astros players who cheated got off without any recourse because of the immunity granted. Many players have spoken out about how upset they are by the whole thing. I think it’s fair to be upset by it but that doesn’t mean most here agree with intentionally throwing at a batter is just.

[Squirrel]

I don't think the fans will let up on this any time soon; granted, it's only spring training and maybe it will die down once regular season play starts, but ...

 

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/03/a-fan-trolled-george-springer-with-a-curveball-call-before-he-struck-out

[Squirrel]

And now A-Rod has a thing or two to say ...

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/alex-rodriguez-rips-astros-for-showing-no-remorse-over-cheating-scandal/

[Platoon]

Whats sort of strange is no one seemed to see this coming or seems to have considered it? If so they aren’t admitting it. You put cameras in CF, monitors in the clubhouse, communications to the bench, and millions of dollars on the line, and expect purity? Really? You got to be kidding. First off there’s millions of dollars involved, secondly there is millions of dollars involved, third they have been stealing signs for years and shouldn’t have. In past years a lot of players didn’t want to receive stolen signs, the penalty could be painful. Now, with our abhorrence of such acts, it’s harmless fun. Well at least for the players. Sooner or later we will find out another team or two dabbled in the same thing. Should the Astros have done this? NO.  But to be surprised or appalled they did seems somewhat delusional. If players will pump hazardous chemicals into themselves for financial reasons, they sure as heck won’t mind knowing a little more about pitch sequencing than is legal, to improve their numbers. 

[ewen21]

 

  On 3/4/2020 at 8:43 PM, KirbyDome89 said:

I wish there was a count for the number of posters who thrash the unwritten rules but suddenly are in favor of other teams throwing at Houston.....

 

Fans should boo them, bring trash cans to bang, find any other sort of creative way to express their disgust, ect. I'm glad other players are speaking out, even if I do feel like some of it is possibly hypocritical, but the approval or encouragement of headhunting Houston seems to fly in the face of the usual pushback on TD against such tactics.

I won't complain if the Astros lead the league in HBPs.  if that is what happens then that is what happens  Would you have trouble with that?

 

Not sure who you are speaking to here.