Washington Nationals leadoff man, Nyjer Morgan ,made headlines, again, last night when he charged Florida Marlins pitcher, Chris Volstad, in the top of the sixth inning after Volstad threw his first pitch of Morgan's at-bat about six inches behind Morgan.
Morgan took exception to the pitch and charged Volstad, connecting with a left hook before being clothes-lined by Marlins first baseman, Gaby Sanchez.
Morgan's act can be taken several ways. On one hand, his actions show a lack of maturity and professionalism as Morgan is currently appealing a seven-game suspension for throwing a baseball at a fan in the stands in Philadelphai on Aug. 21. This, combined with his decision to bowl over St. Louis catcher, Bryan Anderson, last Saturday and Marlins catcher, Brett Hayes, Tuesday night speaks to a mindset of someone who doesn't respect the game and feels he is above the rules.
If this is the case, the Nationals should do what they can to get Morgan out of town as quick as possible.
However, another question is raised and one that I have been pondering for years. Why is it ok for a pitcher to throw a baseball as hard as he can at a defenseless batter, but it's not ok for two consenting hockey players to fight?
Wednesday's brawl happened for two reasons. One, because the Marlin's wanted payback on Morgan for seperating Hayes's shoulder on Tuesday night, which was accomplished when Volstad beened Morgan in the right hip in the top of the fourth inning Wednesday.
However, the biggest reason for the brawl was because Volstad didn't feel his fourth inning plunk of Morgan sufficed. So, Volstad took it upon himself to throw at Morgan, again, in the top of the sixth.
The explination for Volstad's decision was simple, according to the Associated Press who quoted Marlins' third-baseman, Wes Helms. "There's nothing good I can say about someone who doesn't play the game the right way and doesn't respect the integrity of the game,"said Helms.
Doesn't respect the integrity of the game? Helms claim had to do with Morgan's decision to steal two bases in the top of the fourth after Volstad hit him and the Nationals were trailing 14-3. How is a player disrespecting the game when he is trying to help his team win and the game isn't even half over?
Was Morgan trying to show the Marlins up by stealing the two bases? Probably. But what's wrong with that? What's wrong with a player standing up for himself within the rules of the game?
Wednesday night's brawl leads back to a long time belief that baseball players have "Carte Blanche" when it comes to standing up for one another.
I've read columns throughout my life that bash fighting in hockey, and more recently, the negative physical impact that playing football potentially has on player's brain functions; a few of which came from highly respectable newspapers.
But, when is the column, or story, going to come out about the free pass that Major League baseball players get for throwing baseballs at defenseless batters or charging semi-defenseless pitchers?
I guess it will come from me. A blogger who doesn't understand the double-standards in professional sports.
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