Content and Context

A number of posters present thoughtful response to my commentary on 'head-hunting'.

Steve D writes, "The problem with your scenario (heavy fines and suspensions etc.) is that it's impossible to prove intent." Both leagues have personnel assigned to mete out discipline in exactly this situation after review of the context of the situation. Steve is correct that every pitcher says "the pitch got away". Using that logic, managers should never be warned, and no one should ever be ejected, because no court, judge, and jury were assembled to prove intent.

A secondary (and surely less plausible point for most) note is where wildness occurs. Generally, RHPs will be wild inside to RH hitters (natural ball movement) and LHP outside to RH hitters.

Having pitched from Little League, Babe Ruth League, Legion, high school, college, the Intercity League, and even in an old men's league, I don't think I hit 3 lefthanded batters, and nobody anywhere near the head. Maybe that's why I was such a mediocre pitcher?

Steve adds (lacking due process) "your "remedy" is sorely lacking in my opinion." That seems to be a trend in society, both nationally and internationally, as each of us, from individual to government 'knows what is right' and acts on that knowledge. A very valid criticism.

Redsoxer questions, "In your perfect world, why stop there? What about the owners who hired the managers?" My column states exactly that. How many owners would want to pony up $250,000 because their employees decided to take baseball justice into their own hands?

He adds, Re: "Will that happen? Of course not, because the “labor unions” will prevent harsh treatment of their coddled members." Never mind. Ah, class war!

MLBPA resembles most labor unions the way a sledgehammer and a ballpeen hammer are both hammers. Last time I checked, the average 'dues paying union member' makes over 2 million dollars. I remember seeing the Texas Rangers waiting for their charter at BWI. The younger players were playing cards and spitting tobacco juice on the airport carpet. The 'grizzled' veterans were carrying briefcases, wearing three-piece suits and reading section C of the Wall Street Journal. They're entitled to their lifestyles because they have skills that you and I lack, but let's not confuse them with Everyman.

What will happen? There WILL be suspensions and fines, appeals, and then suspensions and fines will be enforced. Then the cycle will repeat itself, until the next Conigliaro happens.

We are talking about degree. As George Bernard Shaw wagged, "we already know what kind of woman you are. We are negotiating over the price."