Comments on: Javier Baez and Playing the Game “The Right Way”

By: Booj

Booj — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 23:59:40 +0000

I can appreciate that we don’t want players to be joyless drones out there, but this sounds an awful lot like excusing bad behavior. Diaz had just thrown a pitch that could have ended a man’s career in a glorified goodwill exhibition; Baez decided that the right course of action was to ratchet the situation up.

It’s more than just not right.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 05:14:49 +0000

So he has an edge…and sometimes that is not “right”. But more often than not that edge is entertaining and creates those instincts we love to watch. Expecting perfection from any player is down right crazy and impossible. Well maybe Kris Bryant.

By: Booj

Booj — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 14:47:36 +0000

Exactly the opposite. Take last night’s WBC semi as an example. Edwin Diaz flat-out threw at Balentien’s head. It was a dangerous and dirty play against a guy who’s aggressively putting himself out there for MLB consideration that happened for no good reason. While Lindor went out to try to calm down Diaz, Baez was seeking confrontation with the Netherlands bench. Diaz was the heel, but it was a bad look for Javy, who I adore. Javy also gunned down a runner on a relay and out-slid a tag while stealing third base. His play was spectacular and a joy to watch. But if actively seeking out a brawl doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth, well, i guess there’s no point arguing with you.

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:54:58 +0000

There’s no point in arguing with the “right way” people. They are the same folks applauding when a pitcher throws at a batter intentionally. Joyous emotion = bad. Anger/revenge = good.

What’s the point in arguing with that?

How people don’t find Javy’s play to be infectious is beyond me.

By: JoePepitone

JoePepitone — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 20:16:56 +0000

You touched on several aspects that are right on the button for me. It is a joy to see him play. He is a “stop what you’re doing and watch him” player. You can’t just watch his at bats. You have to watch him on the bases. You have to watch him in the field. Jeez, you even have to watch him on the bench — he’s apt to do something you don’t want to miss. If he goes to another team, I’m going to start watching their games.

By: TheCHISportsFan

TheCHISportsFan — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 19:36:18 +0000

Amen! Well put. I am in the middle of reading AG Spaulding’s book on baseball and it’s interesting that it was upheld as a “gentleman’s” sport and the gamblers and carousers were chased from the game as organizers took control. Thing is – people used to wear suits to baseball games. (Which actually would be a marvelous throwback day for Wrigley once a year in April when temps were still below 70 degrees).

It think ppl confuse “the right way” along lines of sportsmanship and don’t separate it from decorum. Baseball already has changed with flashing graphics and walk up music. (and lights.) The sportsmanship element (no taunting, fisticuff’s and ‘respecting’ the game) does tamp down on a much more entertaining game with Demarcus Cousins and JR Smith types.

But the energy and LOVE Javy shows for the game however – is what makes baseball TRULY more interesting and exciting. Watching a team filled with joy and celebration is far more entertaining than infighting, serious players with a grudge.

Toronto (to me) was the opposite of energy of what Javy brings – but I have to admit, I watched more Blue Jay baseball that year than I have in the last 10.

Anyway – (thanks for giving me a place to rant with you) I’m also tired of people trying to hold baseball back from showing emotion – positive or negative. I want these guys to be good role models – but the troublemakers will always be ostracized and the Javy Baez’s will always attract more.