Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn't been so honest
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn't been so honest
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Charlie Manuel said that he hopes the league won't suspend Cole Hamels for hitting Nationals rookie Bryce Harper. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)
I was as suprirsed as anybody when Cole Hamels came right out and admitted that he hit Nationals phenom Bryce Harper on purpose last night. Most times, a pitcher will deny intent, even if it is in winking manner. As you can read on the Inquirer's blog, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo labeled the action "gutless," which clearly it wasn't, since Hamels plunked Harper knowing full well that he might end up getting hit with a pitch in retaliation. He did end up getting hit with a pitch, although Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann said it wasn't his intent to do so (which makes sense, since hitting Hamels moved a runner into scoring position with one out when Hamels was content to give up an out to bunt said runner over).
I know some people think that hitting batters with pitches is an archaic tradition that has no place in the sport, but I'm not sure I agree with that. The way I see it, the practice is the equivalent of fighting in hockey, a way for players to police the game themselves when they feel an opponent is not playing it the way it should be played. It might not be a coincidence, then, that you see more showboating in sports that do not have such means of self-policing (soccer, basketball, arguably football).
That's Charlie Manuel's viewpoint too. The manager just wishes his pitcher would be a little more discreet when discussing his motives.
"I wish he'd been a little bit more, what do you call it, not so honest, or dishonest, or discreet, that might be the right word," Manuel said in a radio appearance with Michael Barkann and Rob Ellis on 94.1/610 WIP today. "What I saw was the next time up Hamels came up to bat they definitely retaliated, he got hit on the calf, and he could have got hurt. If the guy would have hit him hard on the bone part of his leg, that could have hurt. . .I like to think it was dropped right there and the rest of it will be done baseball wise."
Manuel was asked if he thinks that Hamels will be suspended.
"I hope not," Manuel said.
Manuel reiterated what he said last night, that he initially did not think Hamels intentionally hit Harper, who ended up going first to third on a single and then stealing home on a pickoff play to first.
"When he hit him, I actually thought he was trying to throw the ball inside on him," Manuel said. "He was trying to throw it up and in and it him. He got on and he ended up scoring, he did a good piece of baserunning. He showed a lot of guts. He kind of challenged him. I kind of took that as him sending a message to us."
Comments (51)
I think MLB should reward Cole Hamels for admitting it... by giving him a five game suspension and then passing out ten game suspensions to any pitcher who is obviously throwing at someone and then lying about it.
You break the rules and fess up, you get penalized. You break the rules and then lie about it, you get penalized more. It's what we all learned - or should have learned - as kids. I respect Hamels' "crime" a lot more than I respect Zimmerman's.- The whole thing is embarrasing. If you're going to hit somebody, have a reason that makes sense.— Aquila
- Would you enjoy a novel that imagines what would happen to a MLB rookie pitcher who throws a fatal bean ball at the behest of his manager? If so, A PITCH FOR JUSTICE an e-book examines the national debate that rages about the inherent risks of baseball and the laws of society when a criminal investigation and prosecution for homicide ensues. Please also read the review by Tampa Tribune sports writer Robert D’Angelo.
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/sarasota-author-delivers-purpose-pitch/
— faunster - Hitting Harper made little sense. Sometimes a player may deserve it. I did not see anything he did warenting it. If you get off on it it's your problem. The poorer issue was Hamels talking about it. Left NL office with need to suspend him. If you can't see what the problem is ask yourself if one of your favorite Phillies was hit and career threatened. Only good thing Hamels did was he kept it around batters waste.— Don w
- Ah yes, that's a good life lesson to teach the kids-- if you do something and intended to do it, then don't express honesty or sincerity about it. You will get fined/suspended or punished in other ways. So kids, if you want to do something, just lie and everyone will understand— Ashburn072
- Didn't take guts for cole he's a gutless coward to begin with.The little spoiled fairy should be kicked out for a month.That kid did nothing to get plunked for .Heplays like a player I don't like PETE ROSE. This kid should be called BABY HUSTLE.— tobyjoe
- Chirlie has got to be iether on drugs or he has alshimers. The worst coaching of any game I have ever seen. Rubin, Get him the hell out of their.— old SC Frank
- Every mgr. in baseball would have had Mayberry sacrifice but Charlie. You have 1st and 2nd no out and a batter hitting 220. The only way you might not is if Mayberry is a terrible bunter but than you put someone in who can bunt.— Don w
- yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn.— bubba church & granny hamner
- Calif. free spirit, what do you want??— dogman5
- Charlie should get fined and suspended for stating he told Hamels to lie about his intents to hit Harper. That is not the mark of a winning manager to tell his players to lie.— sonnybuoy01
- Deadly change up, paint the corners all day, great effort Hamels!— escapedcamden4monterey
- It's all about Colbert. What a silly thing to do baseball-wise and then the stupidity to talk about it. You go Colbert, you're the coolist. The trolley dodgers can have you.— TomO
- Hamels should hit the fans in the stands with a few pitches for supporting the dreck they are putting out there this season.— StraightottaPhilly
- Charles Barkley was once asked if he regretted shoving some obnoxious drunk through a plate glass window. He replied that he was sorry it wasn't on the 11th floor, or something to that effect. It's why we love Charles; he's real and he tells the truth. Same thing with Cole here; he sends a message and mans up. Baseball would be a lot more interesting if players, managers, and GMs spoke the truth more often rather than cliches and politically correct B.S. most of the time.— dasher
Comment removed.- Absolutely true. Polanco is a great example. I can't remember any pitcher over the last 4-5 years (it's possible I could have missed it) who sent a clear message back to the other team. He just doesn't settle the score, and Phils batters have paid the price. As for Hamels, the only thing he did wrong was to admit he threw at him. The idiot GM there is the one who brought the "teenager" up. If he didn't want Harper to get hurt playing with the big boys he should have sent him to Hagerstown with a protective helmet and padding. Dope. — Bob1
I've usually been on Manual's side, but he is gutless for not fully backing his Ace being honest. A little honesty can do the game (as well as the planet) good.- Honesty? There's no honesty in baseball. That's why Hamels will get a suspension. Hamels must have skipped page 192 in the book of baseball clichés - "I was just trying to throw inside and the ball slipped."— Dragon13
- Hamels admitted hitting Harper as a way of making sure the media and fans KNEW it was intentional and there would be no debate about it. The message that was being sent was to everyone across baseball, including potential free agent suitors who just might find this moxie attractive. Cole knew what he was doing when he came right out and told the truth. His value just went up a notch.— Sam Crow
- GOOD for Hamels for being honest!! (and for pitching another superb game).
- Hamels did what a pitcher needs to do to rally his team , and to quiet down a cocky kids big mouth. This is no different than a hockey fight or a late hit in football. I just hope he dont get suspended because they clearly got him back and the situation was handled on the field like it should have been. If there was a brawl after this stuff happened, then i can see suspensions, but there wasnt.....case closed!— huntnmike3666
There is no reason for Hamels to state the obvious and say "I did it on purpose." Just say nothing if you don't want to lie. "No comment." Remember that oldie but goodie?- The Phillies are partnering with this amazing non-profit organization called Sink or Swim that helps families who are in dire straights from mounting medical bills pay for basic needs. A Sink or Swim recipient has a chance to throw the first pitch at the 7/6/12 Phillies game. If you're interested, you can help this incredible organization that works so hard to help Philadelphians in need, support them by going to www.phillies.com/sosphilly.— speedofdark
- Remember Cook ?— NewMick314
- Rich you are scared....does life frighten you? Man up bro. Sports are not always pretty and this does not "teach" our children, that is called parenting.— foment3
- Took guts for Hamels to admit it. People know Zimmerman was lying about his retaliation. You fine or suspend hamels for telling the truth, youfine or suspend Zimmerman for telling a lie, too. Too often people have viewed Hamels as "soft" or a pushover. He has alleviated those thoughts now. Granted he ain't glaring at you with one eye squinting like Bob Gibson into the sun on a hot August day, but you get my drift. Rizzo is an idiot much like the rest of his front office. Calling Hamels "gutless" wow, it was actually the opposite.— Mark1npt
Hamels plunked the guy in the back...welcome to the Bigs. Harper steals home...back atcha. Zimmerman plunks Hamels in the calf...payback. Umpire warns both benches...case closed. Hamels admits it was on purpose...not smart. Mike Rizzo calls it gutless...loudmouth should just shut his mouth.— John621- Kids say dumb things. Hamels is still a kid. If he get's suspended, he might think about saying dumb things next time.— Richardgozinya
Plunking batters has been going on for over 100 years. So Hamels does something that practically every major-league pitcher has done in their career, is honest about it, and will get suspended for telling the truth. Makes sense to me.- Some of you guys saying now the Nats won't offer Hamels a contract after the season are on drugs. Now they'll offer him more, if anything. I say they won't get to offer him one because RAJ is gonna lock him up well before that. I could be wrong but I doubt it.— PhillySubsMac
- It used to be sports people were looked at as heros. Not now a days its just crazy why someone would hit someone. I hope they suspend him for a month. We are teaching our children how to be bad with these kinds of things in sports. Hey I can do what I want— RichH
- Murph -- you must be kidding, right? So Zimmerman lies and says he didnt mean to hit him and you believe him. So Zimmerman is the good guy for lying and Hamels is the bad guy for telling the truth. Classic.— Chicago_Phils_Fan
- He should have kept his mouth shut. Now Washington won't be offering him the $150 miiiion contract they were considering.— farley
- Whether you agree or not with the action of Cole Hamels, he WILL be suspended. MLB will not tolerate intentional "plunking" of batters. MLB will police itself, not allow rogue players to decide how/when they will police the sport. Comparisons to "old school" pitchers is incorrect. They didn't come out and state their intention. Pitchers of old would state that they wanted to let batters know they controlled the inside part of the plate. If players were standing too close to the plate, and inside fastball was the remedy. But you won't find a quote from Bob Gibson/Nolan Ryan/etc...saying they purposely hit a batter, unless it was retaliation. Hamels would have been better suited to have said an inside slider simply didn't break. Sometimes, saying a little bit or nothing speaks larger volumes that what Hamels did.— drhoffman
- Cole: "He's a cocky kid.. so I hit him. And?"— kidretdes
- Since he admitted it, he'll definitely miss a start. I'm ok with it, he had the 'guts' to say yeah I did it on purpose.— PhillySubsMac
- The tired old fool is such a pathological liar he can never accept someone telling the truth. Like being the Virgina state marble shooting champ, turning down a basketball scholarship to Penn, knocking in a game winning RBI for the Dodgers in their pennant run, hitting 5 balls over the roof in Briggs stadium, just missing catching Sadahara Oh's 715th home run, and on and on and on.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Huh? I miss your point...although, then again, I always do.
— 24sDad - Cole must be hanging out with Chris Christie.— Paul Deon
- Hamels shouldn't have admitted it. I don't know why he should be suspended. Hitting batters is part of the game. It's not like he hit him in the head.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- We'll find out how Doc is tonight. I really feel like the Phillies have to win this Mets series.— s
- Hamels did exactly the right thing when he hit Harper. The kid may be good, but he ain't THAT good, and a reminder doesn't hurt. Hamels probably remembers his early years, when he too thought he was THAT good, until the league humbled him a little bit and as a result he turned into a pitcher.— Dave Clemens
- How does hitting Harper with a baseball remind him he ain't that good? I would think striking him out would be a lot more effective. Instead Harper went on to steal mutilple bases and score a run! I guess he IS that good.
- Moving on: how is Doc?? That too is now the cause celebre'— Koons
- So when Manuel says he's really happy about Rollins we can presume that is a lie? or when he says Galvis belongs in the majors? Unfortunately it wasn't a lie when he said Oswalt would start game 4. Charlie is too scared to tell the truth.— lazyboy
- Sorry, Brookover wrote the other piece.— s
- I agree with everything written here. Gelb's piece is also spot on, noting how different a head shot would be ... a point that seems to be lost on some readers.— s
- Comment removed.
1
Popular Posts
About this blog
High Cheese is your place for the best Phillies coverage from the Daily News.
David Murphy
Daily News Staff Writer
Ryan Lawrence
Daily News Staff Writer
Search this blog:
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
