Brawl-timore Reflection

OPACY, June 7, 2016
Royals vs Orioles

I was at the baseball game on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 between the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles.

This game has been in the news because of the brawl that broke out during. I watched the proceedings.

I was part of the crowd showing our support for Manny Machado, our all-star third baseman, now shortstop, who was hit by a 99 mile per hour fastball thrown by the Royals pitcher during the fifth inning.

It was a beautiful evening for baseball, although the wind was cool, the sky was clear and the evening warm enough for short-sleeves, shorts and sandals. 

I saw the high and inside pitches that the opposing pitcher had delivered during Manny's previous two at bats. As I recall, Manny was the only Orioles player to receive the head-hunting pitches.

Brawl at OPACY
June 7, 2016

During the fifth inning, the Royals pitcher, in my estimation, deliberately hit Manny with a 99 mpg fastball. That is what percipitated the ensuing brawl between the teams. 

Deliberately hitting someone with a 99 mg fastball is the same, in my mind, as assault with a deadly weapon. While I do not condone thuggishness behavior in any sport, including hockey, I understand the emotion of the situation. The the two principals involved were the only ones who actually threw punches. 

Major League Baseball will be handing out fines and suspensions for the brawl, but I hope they review the build up to the event. Sadly, the Orioles could be without Manny for 3-8 games. 

Was Manny justified in charging the mound and throwing two punches at the pitcher? Maybe--the guy just threw and hit him with a 99 mph fastball. That makes it an emotional thing it is hard to walk away. I hope the pitcher gets suspended for at least as many starts as Manny. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD