According to a retweet by the official Nationals blogger, Hamels said tonight that "I was trying to hit him. I'm not going to deny it."

(Backstory: The first pitch - in the first inning - Hamels threw with Bryce Harper in the batter's box hit Harper in the kidneys.)

Here's the article: http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... 6dHs-uJfp4

and here's the quote:



Kinda hard not to like the candor, and maybe even like the guy for it. But it was a stupid thing to say, unless he thinks he can game it out so that his suspension doesn't cause him to miss a start (the way Ubaldo pulled it off earlier this year).

And as admirable as his candor may be, how fucking stupid is the tradition? Seriously. I mean, you're throwing a rock at flesh, at 90+ mph. That's idiocy.

Don't get me wrong. I know pitchers have to throw inside and keep batters from hanging over the plate. And sometimes you'll hit the guy that's diving in. And sometimes a pitch will get away. Shit's gonna happen. But throwing at someone because he's getting too much attention? Fuck all that. Maybe Hamels just wanted to be the first one to do it.

One more thing. For as long as I live, I'll never understand why bats don't get awfully slippery after a pitcher throws at a batter. I don't imagine it'd take too many Louisville Sluggers spinning toward a pitcher's kneecaps before the message was sent. Again, don't get me wrong. I think this would be just as stupid as throwing at a batter. But so long as beanings are an accepted part of the game, I don't understand why direct retaliation isn't. (I know, you're pitcher is supposed to hit a batter on the other team... But he's not the one that threw the damned ball. Why should he take the bruise (or broken bone)?)

Maybe he's making a nice opening in the rotation for Lee to slip back in. haha

I think I love Hamels now......for the act and the honesty.

Hamels is a cowardly turd for this. If he really thinks Bryce is too big for his britches, why not try to put him over his knee and teach him a lesson. Now that would have been "old school".
I'll tell you why Cole won't pull that shit. . . because Bryce wouldn't hesitate to punch that skinny lefty right in his twerp. I used to think Bryce was an arrogant jerk but I have seriously warmed to the kid and hope my kids want to be like him. I love that Bryce plays hard 100% of the time. Sprinting down the 1B line, legging out doubles instead of admiring his shot. Stealing home was the best revenge ever.
Well right behind a 10 game suspension MLB should hand down. If he bruised a kidney or broke his wrist we wouldn't be so cool with "old school" baseball would we? Hamels is a douche with a capital D.

Hamels hits Harper, Harper steals home on him. +1 Harper.

Curt Schilling, of all people, said this was a stupid thing to do.

It's official: 5 game suspension for Hamels.

Gotta admit I like Harper more than I thought I would, but I still hope my kids go to college. Harper didn't even finish high school. I know it was for his career, but it's just not right atmo.

If dude had gotten hurt the suspension likely would have been longer, but he probably wouldn't have admitted it either so.... I dunno, it's whatever. Good for the fans.

I'm in the love Hamels camp on this one, as hard as that is for a Braves fan...


Guys do this all the time. That's why guys like Barry Bonds have to wear massive elbow guards, because they know pitchers throw at them on a fairly regular basis. It's been part of the game forever... It's a pitcher's way of saying, "This plate is mine, mother f#@^%er!". I used to throw at people in little league and high school and I don't feel ashamed at all to admit it (And I got away with it because I was Edinson Volquez-wild sometimes).

Harper is a tremendously talented rookie; why not try to intimidate him or make him feel uncomfortable? IMO that's a pitcher's right and duty. If you get him thinking twice about stepping into the box the right of the game, you just gave your team a better shot at winning.


And Hamels had the balls to admit it, which says a lot about him. Most pitchers give the politically correct noncommittal response and go about their business, but Hamels was actually honest. Gotta respect that.


I think it's kind of hypocritical that Hamels is getting suspended for intentionally hitting Harper, but Zimmerman isn't getting suspended for very obviously intentionally hitting Hamels. Let them play the game and don't suspend either one.


Knowing how cases with guys named Zimmerman go, he'll get suspended a month and a half from now after everyone protests by wearing Phillies hoodies to games.

They had to suspend Hamels after he admitted it. He starts Sunday vs SD so my weekly lineup isn't affected.