I know this is a day late, but wanted some non Cardinal fans views on this... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5453285 It seems when things usually get heated on the baseball field it's from something that has happened during the game. It's not often that a player steps up in an interview and calls another team "Complainers and Little B***ches". I think Phillips got off pretty easy, as there was no doubt that the Cards would have sent him a message at some point had this not escalated before he stepped to the plate. Not shown in the article above was the injuries Cardinal backup catcher Jason LaRue suffered from Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto kicking at the group of players in front of him. Also, as a Cards fan I would like to thank Brandon Phillips for sharing his opinions. I haven't seen them play with that kind of passion all season. And the next time Phillips wants to share his opinions then he should probably do more than go 2 for 14 in the series.
I agree that the Cards definately played with more passion this series.I hope it continues. I am a Cards fan but I have to say that If I were in the same position as the Reds pitcher,I would have done the same thing.He was getting smashed into the wall,completely pinned with no way out.I do not blame him a bit for what he did. I also applaud Molina.Don't call a team out as whiners and B#$%^%es and then come out wanting to buddy up.
I love the fire and passion, and Yadi was 100% right in not taking any crap from that guy. I mean, seriously. Um, yesterday, you're saying you don't like the Cardinals and called us a bunch of whiners, and today, you wanna be all cute and tap my shin-guards like we've been friends for years??? Hell no dude! You better get the hell up off me!! But, we now have a guy out with a concussion and to be honest, everyone got lucky. There could have been an awful lot of senseless injuries during that little escapade.
And as a side note, I think us sweeping that series will deflate the Reds. They'll drop off in the standings now, and I don't think they'll be in the running for long. They just aren't ready for the big time. But they're gonna be a team to contend with in the future for sure. So long as Rollen and Edmonds can stay healthy.
Phillips does that "tap" EVERY AB. This was nothing new. Molina just decided he wanted to start something, based on comments Phillips made off the field. My observations: 1. I think I'd kept my cool and drilled Phillips. 2. If I'm the Reds pitcher....I might have been scared enough (of getting crushed) to do the same thing. 3. Carpenter IS a *****. His publicly calling out Ryan, Monday night (2X!) was pitiful. Somebody needs to put a muzzle on his ass. 4. I don't think Carpenter wanted ANYTHING to do with Rolen (and Rolen wasn't trying to fight, I know). I don't think there are many that wanna tangle with Rolen, honestly. 5. Cards are soft. Phillips wasn't far off.
The cards are a little soft but not in this series,Thanks Phillips. This just might be what they needed. Yes,Phillips does that little tap but if you don't like me,don't act like you do and Molina was right in stating as much.IMO The post game interview with Carpenter was quite different and he talked about how much the cardinals need Ryan and how good a player he is.
Not exactly Think about it,he doesn't have the right glove on when the game starts.That's little league stuff.I feel like the 2nd stemmed from the first. BUT,I agree,take it to the locker room and get it taken care of.
Didn't have the right glove? Or, had a malfunction (happened to me a dozen times)? I actually don't have a problem with how he handled that one. Took it to the tunnel. If Ryan had issues with it, they were kind of out of the spotlight. The second blow up? Absolute horse ****. What a *****. Phillips has Carpenter pegged, anyways. There's no room for that on a team. I'd have fined his ass and told him if it happened again, he'd be pitching in Johnson City, TN for a couple weeks.
He may have had a malfunction but the coverage I heard was wrong glove.If it was a malfunction,then I would have problems with that. Like I said,the 2nd stemmed from the first,as well as Ryan's play this season.He has had a few errors this season. BUT,I highly doubt you would send him to MiLB considering he is one of the best in the league and you are in the middle of a pennant race.If you did,you might be the one packing your bags.:D
The tail waggin' the dog is what's wrong with professional sports, today. Yeah. I'd have sent him down, if he didn't apologize.....and publicly. And, he'd have to know if he did it, again............................................Johnson City.
I can agree with most of that. Yes, Phillips does his little love tap on every at bat. It's supposed to be some kind of hello message to the opposing catcher. But seriously if you make those comments just don't do it. After all that though, it could have been a lot worse for both teams. One player was still hurt, but when you have 50+ grown men arguing and shoving a lot worse could have happened. 1. Yes it would of been a better scenario had Phillips been drilled at some point in the game. 2. What was Cueto doing in the middle of the mob anyways? He was right there going to the backstop with Carp and Rolen. His kicking actions were not only directed at the Cardinals, but also his own team. It will also probably cost him a suspension and a fine. 3. 100% agree. Carp should have bit his lip. Ryan does have a reputation as being a very immature player and hasn't exactly played the best D in the game this season. But regardless, you NEVER sell your fielders out. I'm sure LaRussa did have a talk with both of them at some point too. 4. The only Cardinal that Rolen probably would of hit was LaRussa. He still has friends in that dugout. He was the first to grab Yadi at home plate and try to play the peace maker. 5. It seems like the Cardinals have played this year like they are waiting for the Reds to go away, instead of taking the division on their own. This was the first time I have seen them actually seem like they wanted it. To me this was perfect for baseball. Casual fans complain about baseball being boring to watch. Well throw in a few post game comments, a ticked off team, and first place on the line and the game becomes a lot more interesting to those people.
Life long Cards fan here, and I don't know what is up Carp's ass this season. Started when he got hit by Jackson in Arizona early in the year, then barking at Carlos Lee after Carp got Lee to pop up. Now him yelling at Baker/Rolen etc..... something is up in Carps world. Brendan Ryan is a dumbass, no ifs ands or buts. He took a cab to Yankee Stadium 2 years ago, game was at Shea. He needs reeled in a few times a year, Monday night was one of those times. About Rolen and the near brawl......anyone that thinks he could have hit anything harder than a waterballon w/o going on the DL is delusional. He's big and old school, but he's also a whiney ***** that likes to cause problems. Just ask the Cardinals. Or the Phillies. Or the Blue Jays.....he never leaves happy, and the other team is never sad to see him hit the bricks. Heck I had no problem with what Phillips said at all. Just back it up Brandon, he didn't, end of story.
Well I got to see this one Live I was there the 9th and 10th. I had a good view from where I was at, it was a rush :D I noticed the shin tap on Molina with the Bat from Phillips and wodered why did he do that THEN it was on From my view there was a little more arm swinging than what I seen on the tube. But as a Cardinal fan, a 3 game sweep baby
Suspensions and fines were handed out today, and were pretty much what everyone expected. Cueto 7 games, LaRuss and Baker 2 each, and Molina, Carpenter, Phillips, and Springer were fined.
This I find ironic.You know the Head Brass in MLB was loving it.They know this kind of exposure is money in the bank but they feel the need to be politically correct and smack their hands for being bad.
