What a stud.

[wolf stansson]

Brandon Phillips, get out the way.

 

Pujols: “Next Time I’ll Put Him in Left Field”

By Derrick Goold

09/01/2007 10:40 pm

 

DOWNTOWN — Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was ticked Albert Pujols didn’t slide out of the way of a double play in the fifth inning Saturday night and accused the Cardinals first baseman of “disrespecting” him as a player.

 

Pujols said he was just playing the game the way he plays the game.

 

Get used to it or get out of the way.

 

And thus a lob of verbal grenades took full bloom late Saturday night.

 

“I play the game hard,” Pujols said as he walked out of the Cardinals clubhouse after the 11-3 victory. “He’s the one who didn’t make the adjustment. He didn’t get out of the way.”

 

Much more on this exchange in Sunday’s Post-Dispatch and Rick Hummel’s game story, but the whole display was too good not to put up in here as well. Over in the Cincinnati clubhouse tonight, Phillips told reporters that Pujols “tried to hurt me” and that the former MVP “taught me a lesson. Lesson learned.” Phillips was not charged with an error on the play, but his throw to first base was wide and Ryan Ludwick was safe.

 

Phillips barked at Pujols on the field and said that the Cardinals’ first baseman didn’t even respond. Pujols implied after the game that he heard what Phillips was saying and chose to ignore the prattle.

 

The next batter, Jim Edmonds, roped a two-run double to left center field. Edmonds’ double gave the Cardinals the lead for good.

 

“I wish I would have thrown through him,” Phillips said. “Next time he has to get his (tail) down. … Next time, I’ll just throw it threw the (big lug).”

 

Told of Phillips comments, Pujols offered a rat-a-tat-tat rejoinder before leaving the ballpark for the night.

 

“That’s how you play the game — play it hard,” he said. “He said he wants to throw at me. Next time I’ll put him in left field. Get out of the way or I’ll put you in left field. Play the game hard. Whatever it takes.”

 

More on this, the game, a Strauss Cardinals Insider on Mark Mulder, news on Scott Rolen and Juan Encarnacion … in Sunday’s Post-Dispatch.

 

-30-

Edited September 3, 2007 by wolf stansson

[reggiemiller rules]

Brandon Phillips is an idiot, it wasnt interference because Pujols was still within reach of the bag. It is not Pujols job to get out of the way to make his throw easier. So he needs to shut up and stop saying he is going to throw a ball at someones head.

[Guest]

I didn't see this play so I have no opinion on it . . . but I do think the umps need to start calling interference more often. Some of these "slides" are getting out of control. The reaching the bag thing isn't a rule either, I don't believe.

[XZero771679666304]

I didn't see this play so I have no opinion on it . . . but I do think the umps need to start calling interference more often. Some of these "slides" are getting out of control. The reaching the bag thing isn't a rule either, I don't believe.

 

I agree, the line has to be drawn somewhere.

 

I didn't see the play in question, but I have seen quite a few ridiculous takeout "slides" recently.

[reggiemiller rules]

I didn't see this play so I have no opinion on it . . . but I do think the umps need to start calling interference more often. Some of these "slides" are getting out of control. The reaching the bag thing isn't a rule either, I don't believe.

 

I thought the rule was you had to be able to be able to touch the bag but i may be wrong. The thing is there was no slide, Pujols stayed up and made Phillips adjust the throw but Albert was still in the baseline so its not his job to just get out of the way of the throw just cause most runners do.

[soccer10k]

I didn't see this play so I have no opinion on it . . . but I do think the umps need to start calling interference more often. Some of these "slides" are getting out of control. The reaching the bag thing isn't a rule either, I don't believe.

 

They called a pretty blatant one in one of the Mets-Phillies games the other day. The Mets player interfered and it ended the ball game.

 

But yeah, I agree. Some of these are getting ridiculous.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What a dumb thing for Pujols to do. It's totally worth it to risk your career/life to intimidate Brandon Phillips in an attempt to turn a DP into a FC.

[CubmanPi]

I didn't see this play so I have no opinion on it . . . but I do think the umps need to start calling interference more often. Some of these "slides" are getting out of control. The reaching the bag thing isn't a rule either, I don't believe.

 

They called a pretty blatant one in one of the Mets-Phillies games the other day. The Mets player interfered and it ended the ball game.

 

But yeah, I agree. Some of these are getting ridiculous.

I think I caught a clip of that passing a TV in a restaurant - wasn't it more of a dropkick than a slide?

 

The second base end of a double play has always been the most unregulated part of the game, with the takeout slides and the whole 'vicinity of the bag' rule the umps call, rather than requiring the first end of the double play to actually touch the base while holding the ball. It's a really tough line to draw, much like coddling a quarterback and flagging every piece of concact for 15 yards vs feeding him to the wolves and making him fear for his life.

[Brian]

What a dumb thing for Pujols to do. It's totally worth it to risk your career/life to intimidate Brandon Phillips in an attempt to turn a DP into a FC.

 

Oh come on, Pujols was playing the game "hard" and "his way" of course he's in the right.

[XZero771679666304]

I do know that if someone had a penchant for coming in way too hard, I would not be above buzzing their head with the throw to send a message.

 

I get really defensive of my knees/lower legs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd, for once, like to see a SS just throw the ball right into the teeth of a runner who isn't getting down. That would be a sight to behold.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

I'd, for once, like to see a SS just throw the ball right into the teeth of a runner who isn't getting down. That would be a sight to behold.

 

Seen it and all the blood afterwards. Our leadoff hitter the next inning was the SS that threw the ball. He took one between the numbers, stole second and then their SS closelined him going to third on a hit down the RF line.

 

After we broke up the free for all we were able to finish the game and get out of town. Even then we were followed by the local Sheriffs dept till we made the county line.

 

We 10 runned them in five and that was the sweetest revenge.

[Balsa]

This stupid crap is what happens when "grinders" and "remember the days" people start writing sports columns and make this type of behavior acceptable.

 

I can't for for Rentaria's comeuppance.

[jjgman21]

Brandon Phillips is an idiot, it wasnt interference because Pujols was still within reach of the bag. It is not Pujols job to get out of the way to make his throw easier. So he needs to shut up and stop saying he is going to throw a ball at someones head.

 

The thing is there was no slide, Pujols stayed up and made Phillips adjust the throw but Albert was still in the baseline so its not his job to just get out of the way

 

you are right, it is not his job to get out of the way, but if the play was as you describe, the 'proper' play for a middle infielder is in fact to throw the ball at the runners head and make him get out of the way. going back to little league I was taught to 'throw the ball right at his head, he'll get out of the way.' It is not Brandon Phillips job to worry about the well being of Albert Pujols. the fact that he did in this instance is the main reason he is an idiot, not anything subsequent.

[Illini Iceman]

Brandon Phillips is an idiot, it wasnt interference because Pujols was still within reach of the bag. It is not Pujols job to get out of the way to make his throw easier. So he needs to shut up and stop saying he is going to throw a ball at someones head.

 

The thing is there was no slide, Pujols stayed up and made Phillips adjust the throw but Albert was still in the baseline so its not his job to just get out of the way

 

you are right, it is not his job to get out of the way, but if the play was as you describe, the 'proper' play for a middle infielder is in fact to throw the ball at the runners head and make him get out of the way. going back to little league I was taught to 'throw the ball right at his head, he'll get out of the way.' It is not Brandon Phillips job to worry about the well being of Albert Pujols. the fact that he did in this instance is the main reason he is an idiot, not anything subsequent.

 

And in the case of Pujols it is a really big target. Literally and figuratively.

[Keener98]

Kick his ass Phillips, and if you cant do it just go get the big Texan out in LF to have your back

[Cubfan_N_nebraska]

Hey Philips just throw the ball if he wants to stand up while going into second base. You might find yourself in leftfield but if you throw it right he'll find himself in a dentist chair.

[CubinNY]

I didn't see this play so I have no opinion on it . . . but I do think the umps need to start calling interference more often. Some of these "slides" are getting out of control. The reaching the bag thing isn't a rule either, I don't believe.

Edgar Renteria, were looking at you. I really hope he takes a beaning next year from Big Z.

[davearm]

Phillips just needs to throw the ball and not worry about the runner. If the throw hits him, it hits him.

 

Either way there should be no hard feelings. Each guy's just doing his job.

[CubRock2]

I'd, for once, like to see a SS just throw the ball right into the teeth of a runner who isn't getting down. That would be a sight to behold.

 

This is something I've just never understood. I'm a bid dude - Prince Fielder Big - and played the OF/IF corners all my ball-playing life (through HS). I can move well, but just can't slide well. Never have. My slides have always resembled a jack-knife pool dive. Whatever the reason, I just could never do it. Just like Shaq can't shoot FT's.

 

Why does the 2B/SS have the "right" to throw it through your teeth? Why does he "own" the airspace between the second and first base bags? There is no rule that instructs or suggest slides. It's stupid not to, as it gives the runner an advantage, but if I don't slide, I'm doing nothing wrong. Why should I take it in the teeth, Vance.

 

It's a pretty arrogant point of view, and go ahead and hit me once. I've only got, what 6-8 front teeth you can knock out. If any middle infielder does that, I can kick his ass out every singe time I run into you at 2B. And I won't even bother sliding. I'll just plain Albert Belle his ass. Once one throw hits me, I've got nothing to lose. That 2B has his life and posterity. :twisted:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why does the 2B/SS have the "right" to throw it through your teeth? Why does he "own" the airspace between the second and first base bags? There is no rule that instructs or suggest slides. It's stupid not to, as it gives the runner an advantage, but if I don't slide, I'm doing nothing wrong. Why should I take it in the teeth, Vance.

 

It's a pretty arrogant point of view, and go ahead and hit me once. I've only got, what 6-8 front teeth you can knock out. If any middle infielder does that, I can kick his ass out every singe time I run into you at 2B. And I won't even bother sliding. I'll just plain Albert Belle his ass. Once one throw hits me, I've got nothing to lose. That 2B has his life and posterity. :twisted:

 

Any self-respecting middle infielder would put you in the hospital with the velocity and distance that the situation provides.

 

You slide for several reasons. Courtesy, since you're already out; self-preservation, because several instances this year have shown that baseballs meeting skulls is not a positive result for anybody; and tactical, because you're going to do a better job breaking up the DP by banging the infielder in the legs than you are by risking your life to get in his line of sight.

[davearm]

I'd, for once, like to see a SS just throw the ball right into the teeth of a runner who isn't getting down. That would be a sight to behold.

 

This is something I've just never understood. I'm a bid dude - Prince Fielder Big - and played the OF/IF corners all my ball-playing life (through HS). I can move well, but just can't slide well. Never have. My slides have always resembled a jack-knife pool dive. Whatever the reason, I just could never do it. Just like Shaq can't shoot FT's.

 

Why does the 2B/SS have the "right" to throw it through your teeth? Why does he "own" the airspace between the second and first base bags? There is no rule that instructs or suggest slides. It's stupid not to, as it gives the runner an advantage, but if I don't slide, I'm doing nothing wrong. Why should I take it in the teeth, Vance.

 

It's a pretty arrogant point of view, and go ahead and hit me once. I've only got, what 6-8 front teeth you can knock out. If any middle infielder does that, I can kick his ass out every singe time I run into you at 2B. And I won't even bother sliding. I'll just plain Albert Belle his ass. Once one throw hits me, I've got nothing to lose. That 2B has his life and posterity. :twisted:

The 2b/ss has every right to throw the ball to 1B. You have every right to be in the baseline (although this part gets hazy once you've been put out).

 

But the reality of the situation is that you bear the risk of being drilled in the mug as you and the 2b/ss go about exercising your respective rights.

 

Whether or not to expose yourself to that risk is your choice. But if you choose to do so, just don't be mad at the other guy if/when the inevitable occurs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Why does the 2B/SS have the "right" to throw it through your teeth? Why does he "own" the airspace between the second and first base bags? There is no rule that instructs or suggest slides. It's stupid not to, as it gives the runner an advantage, but if I don't slide, I'm doing nothing wrong. Why should I take it in the teeth, Vance.

 

It's a pretty arrogant point of view, and go ahead and hit me once. I've only got, what 6-8 front teeth you can knock out. If any middle infielder does that, I can kick his ass out every singe time I run into you at 2B. And I won't even bother sliding. I'll just plain Albert Belle his ass. Once one throw hits me, I've got nothing to lose. That 2B has his life and posterity. :twisted:

 

Any self-respecting middle infielder would put you in the hospital with the velocity and distance that the situation provides.

 

You slide for several reasons. Courtesy, since you're already out; self-preservation, because several instances this year have shown that baseballs meeting skulls is not a positive result for anybody; and tactical, because you're going to do a better job breaking up the DP by banging the infielder in the legs than you are by risking your life to get in his line of sight.

 

Excellently put. Better than I could do.

 

CubRock,

 

While there is no rule that says you have to slide, there's no rule that says the infielder has to alter his throw to miss you if you're in the line of sight between him and first. So, if he throws directly to first but hits your noggin, he hasn't broken any rules. However, if you go out of your way to give him a forearm shiver like you so insinuated, you have broken a rule.

[UK1679666180]

If Phillips were to throw at Pujols, there would've been no chance for Phillips to be able to claim he was throwing to 1B, it would've been 10 feet up the 1B line into RF.

 

Phillips needs to get rid of that ball quicker after he pushed off the bag rather than an extra shuffle step. That extra shuffle step might've been to avoid hitting Pujols w/the ball, which is Phillips' fault for being a puss.

 

If the runner is between you and the target, the runner will move or get hit and it's a out with all runners returning to their previous base, it's a win/win.

[reds44]

I love BP, but who is this "Ryan" Phillips you speak of?