Pregame notes 4:58 p.m.: Tigers catcher Victor Martinez had some inflammatory things to say about the Pirates following Tuesday’s 14-inning marathon. During that game, Starling Marte and Pedro Alvarez were hit by pitches. In between, Gerrit Cole hit Martinez, who didn’t react positively. He was still angry following the game. “I mean, I have no respect for no one on that team, including Cole and their coaching staff,” said Martinez. He continued, “If they think that (Justin) Verlander hit Marte with a 1-2 count … he was battling that at-bat,” Martinez said. “If they really think we did it on purpose, they’re playing the wrong sport. Nothing else to say.” A direct Cole was asked about Martinez’s comments and the events of last night. Here’s what he had to say at approximately three hours before today’s first pitch:
Clint Hurdle responded with a simple sentence. “I wasn’t aware that he was the voice of reason.” During Cole’s exchange with the media, tonight’s starter, A.J. Burnett, listened to every word.
Clint Hurdle asks the umpires for a video review Tuesday night. — GETTY
"You love the guy, but you have a job to do, and when you’re on that mound, the only loyalty you have is to the name on your chest. You gotta punch him out.
And I did. Swinging. Game over."
Confidence of a psychopath plus the writing skills of a teenage motivational speaker.
Ever single Players' Tribune article should be penned by Jason Grilli.
Mancuso
7-1-2015, 5:11 pm
Good catch, Casper!
CT Steel
7-1-2015, 5:21 pm
Good read
casper in a-town
7-1-2015, 5:23 pm
I thought it was a nice tip of the cap to the city, fans and even the PBC.
Patrick
7-1-2015, 5:26 pm
Few people have a lower opinion of athlete's communication skills than I do, but you are a harsh man, NMR. I thought the piece was sort of charming.
mcconnellfam
7-1-2015, 5:47 pm
Awesome piece written by Grilli. I'm still somewhat confused by the comments DJ made upon Grilli's departure . I interpreted his tone as "good riddance" based on things he said when Grilli left. This article and many things I've heard others say since do not back up that stance on Grilli. What's up?
Anna
7-1-2015, 10:20 pm
Thanks for the tip about an excellent article. I really missed Grilled Cheese when I saw him pitching for the Braves against the Bucs. He was a major part of that special first winning season.
JAL
7-1-2015, 4:03 pm
Pirates Lineup
1. Josh Harrison (R) 3B
2. Neil Walker (S) 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Starling Marte (R) LF
5. Pedro Alvarez (L) DH
6. Francisco Cervelli (R) C
7. Gregory Polanco (L) RF
8. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
9. Sean Rodriguez (R) 1B
1. Rajai Davis (R) CF
2. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 1B
4. Victor Martinez (S) DH
5. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
6. J.D. Martinez (R) RF
7. Nick Castellanos (R) 3B
8. James McCann (R) C
9. Jose Iglesias (R) SS
cmat0829
7-1-2015, 4:38 pm
How is THAT Tigers lineup just 39-37 in a pretty weak division? Obviously has to be pitching, but whoa.
Yes the pitching has really fallen off. Bullpen was exceptional until this last month
cmat0829
7-1-2015, 4:52 pm
As to yesterday's HBP stuff.... I don't think Verlander (or better named either "the pitcher formerly known as Verlander" or "Mr. Upton") intentionally threw at Marte... that said, I'm ok with Cole hitting Martinez to protect the Pirates hitters ... and further since Coles was intentional I'm ok with Verlander nailing Pedro in the ass.. that ends it. I dont there there is any other message need be sent today.
I agree with that. I'll also add that I think McCutchen is being a drama queen. Dust yourself off, and take your base.
bpn8pitt
7-1-2015, 5:22 pm
Yup. Especially with Cole on the mound. Cards will be all over this.
sl_foxx75
7-1-2015, 5:23 pm
How about you take a pitch in the small of your back or any where on your body time after time and let's see how you react. That's just dumb I can't believe you said that.
NMR
7-1-2015, 5:26 pm
Go ahead and remind me of which other Major League Baseball players make this big of a deal out of getting hit by baseballs.
I'll wait.
Durka
7-1-2015, 5:43 pm
At the moment, Victor Martinez apparently. What makes him think it was retaliation to begin with?
cmat0829
7-1-2015, 5:50 pm
Agreed!! Every HBP is not intentional. I get the retaliation thing tho it isn't my style. If they throw at Cutch intentionally then yes. Throw at the head or behind someone yes. Hbp like Martes last night? Geeze.
Rizzo I believe is hit more than Cutch. Have we heard even a peep from the Cubs on this?
ajw516
7-1-2015, 5:50 pm
so would it be a good idea for someone to throw a fastball at you, which could possibly hit your head, everytine you go to work? Just shake it off. no big deal.
Durka
7-1-2015, 5:55 pm
Well I work at shop n save so that would be welcome ajw
Actually Anthony Rizzo has discussed his HBP frequency in social media...but only to Brittney Spears apparently.
Bradthedad
7-1-2015, 6:28 pm
Consider the source. Martinez is just chapped because he's 35 years old and hitting 60 points below his career BA.
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 6:35 pm
Martinez is gtd $68M thru 2018.....and is having his worst year.
I imagine the Tigers have more of a reason to be chapped.
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 6:38 pm
What is this concern with "intentional" HBP??
If my guy gets hit.....I don't care if it was intentional or not.
Someone on their team gets drilled.
Vehicular homicide is rarely "intentional".....but you still go to prison.
The Pirates are out of control with this stuff. Every hit batsman is not an affront. They, of all teams, with the philosophy of pitching to all parts of the plate (including inside) should know better.
Nothing more than a d*ck swinging contest among grown men who allow themselves to pretend that what they're doing actually means something.
Baseball can be so cute like that.
Goose
7-1-2015, 5:38 pm
NMR, can't agree with you more. This back and forth beaning and keeping score as such is about as sensible a fighting still being a viable team tactic in the NHL
The wolf
7-1-2015, 6:44 pm
It is a viable tactic and has been for 100 years in both baseball and hockey. And for different but perfectly understandable reasons if you ever played either sport. Deal with it.
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 9:05 pm
In total agreement Wolf.
Steelkings
7-1-2015, 9:11 pm
I'll bet getting hit with a fastball hurts.
aglebagel
7-1-2015, 5:23 pm
“I mean, I have no respect for no one on that team, including Cole and their coaching staff..."
Soooo, he respects everyone? This isn't a story at all, just a big misunderstanding! :)
You've heard of Hack A Shaq? Good chance were about to see Hit a Cutch...he'll be pitched in until somebody behinds him can start driving in runs. Why not?
steelag70
7-1-2015, 6:28 pm
Bpn...you just hit the nail on the head. The best way to protect Cutch is to have someone behind him that is a consistent run producer, that will make teams pay and make them think twice about hitting him.
bpn8pitt
7-1-2015, 6:36 pm
In the meantime the pouting needs to stop. That's inviting it.
steelag70
7-1-2015, 6:56 pm
True bpn, in fact, one of the guys on The Fan this past weekend talked about that point...the more Cutch talks about it, the more his reputation takes a hit.
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 9:09 pm
As NMR posted below:
"Nothing more than a d*ck swinging contest among grown men....."
But keep it up......you guys add some comic relief.
Milo Hamilton
7-1-2015, 5:36 pm
Mr. Cole needs to improve his delivery. On unequivocal denials that is. If not he's going to find himself with some unwelcome unpaid time off.
Purely a guess but AJ listening in may have been to make sure Cole didn't speak the truth. If memory serves me, the truth got Hamels a few days off after he hit Harper. FWIW, Harper deserved it.
The baseball of my youth.
The way it was meant to be played.
And I think Gerrit Cole would have fit right in.
"My own little rule was two for one. If one of my teammates got knocked down, then I knocked down two on the other team."
~Don Drysdale
“Barry Bonds? I’ll tell you what, if he hit a home run off Gibson or (Don) Drysdale and stood and admired it, they’d knock that earring out of his ear the next time up.” – National League Umpire Doug Harvey
One night Dusty Baker saw Gibson eating in a restaurant. His teammates encouraged him to walk over and say hello. “It’s OK,” they told him. “It’s away from the field. This is a good time. Bob will be happy to talk.” Then, while those teammates snickered, Baker and his wife walked over and, Dusty said, “Excuse me, Mr. Gibson.”
And Gibson looked up and without even a hint of a smile he snarled, “Why the *$*#&$* should I talk to you?” Then he looked past Dusty, to his wife, and said, “It’s very nice to meet you Mrs. Baker.”
“Gibson was so mean, he’d knock you down and then meet you at home plate to see if you wanted to make something of it.”
—Dick Allen
Players like this on the field.....and The Gunner in the booth......THOSE were the days!
And cavemen used to get dates by dragging them by their hair back to the cave.
Mancuso
7-1-2015, 6:35 pm
Sandy Koufax hit 18 batters during his career. That's an average 2 per season. His teammate Drysdale hit 154 batters, an average of 11 per season. Bob Gibson hit 102, 7 per season, and Bob Veale hit 29, 3 per season. The game has become more violent during my lifetime.
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 6:48 pm
You wanna get in the batter's box and call Gibson a caveman?
But otherwise.....and apt comparison.
40 years ago.....vs.....300,000 year ago.
Side by side on the human timeline.
But yes......40 years ago Gibby was drilling batters.
And 40 years ago men got into boxing rings and beat each other's brains out.
And since there is no more boxing.....why should pitchers not be allowed to protect their teammates?
Hey.....wait a minute?????
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 7:23 pm
Koufax never threw at anyone. Ever.
But then.....he was Koufax.
But its not that they threw often.......but the batter knew they would.
At 2:30.....listen to Gibson talking about knocking down Clemente.
By the way.....career slash for Clemente vs Gibby:
.208/.219/.344~.563
He never hit him. Didn't have to. Got inside his head.
You wanna get in the batter's box and call Gibson a caveman?
But otherwise.....and apt comparison.
40 years ago.....vs.....300,000 year ago.
Side by side on the human timeline.
But yes......40 years ago Gibby was drilling batters.
And 40 years ago men got into boxing rings and beat each other's brains out.
And since there is no more boxing.....why should pitchers not be allowed to protect their teammates?
Hey.....wait a minute?????
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 6:49 pm
Sorry.....wrong comment section. :)
steelag70
7-1-2015, 6:54 pm
Yeah, he's been tearing it up especially the last two months. He's listed at 6'4", 260 lbs....and can steal bases too. Unless he is injured or just totally flops, he should be there when the Buccos visit Min at the end of July.
Durka
7-1-2015, 7:03 pm
Low average but lots of power and spreading it around
steelag70
7-1-2015, 7:05 pm
His avg is at .274, but that's mostly due to only hitting .152 in April...he hit .303 in May, and .329 for June.
steelag70
7-1-2015, 7:07 pm
I've had him stashed on my fantasy baseball roster since the beginning of the season...haha. I also picked up Gallo too.
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 7:08 pm
He's got some serious power
Only has 33 SB over 1600 minor league at bats.
And carrying around 260 pounds.
His fielding percentage at 3B is .911; Pedro's last year was .924.
Looks like a 22 year old DH.
"Not that there's anything wrong with that".
Durka
7-1-2015, 7:10 pm
I haven't really gone crazy over prospects for fantasy although I have held onto Jose Fernandez all year and it's finally paying off as well tomorrow
steelag70
7-1-2015, 7:16 pm
Durka.....my league is a five player keeper league, so prospects are valued.
steelag70
7-1-2015, 7:17 pm
Santo will eventually replace Trevor Plouffe at 3B, and may play some OF too.
Durka
7-1-2015, 7:24 pm
Oh yeah! I completely forgot about the keeper league.
steelag70
7-1-2015, 7:27 pm
I'll have to choose from most likely these players: Posey, Votto, Tulo, Marte, Springer, Souza, Odor, Sano, Gallo, Syndergaard and McCullers...
BlZ
7-1-2015, 8:21 pm
IF HE WAS LEFT HANDED THEY WOULD HAVE PAID THE 3 MILLION FOR HIM
You throw that many sinkers insude to right handed hitters and you are bound to plunk more than your fair share. Nothing to do with a mean streak.
Karen22
7-1-2015, 7:06 pm
Actually, I didn't like the hit by Cole. NO WAY was Verlander throwing at Marte initially. I think Cole was overreacting based on the recent Cutch HBP's. Morton took care of that issue immediately, and good for him. Didn't like the "retaliation" for an obvious wayward pitch last night. Pick the right spots; take care of business immediately when warranted.
He really is amazing at the plate. Seems to never swing at bad pitches. He just takes them for balls. JayHey and others should study that and try to learn.
BlZ
7-1-2015, 8:12 pm
BEST HITTER OUT THERE!
skeeziks7
7-1-2015, 8:07 pm
"Miggy" might be worse than "Petey" at first base.
Agreed- he is awful. Never honest, tries to convince us that bad plays are good and that SHHHRIKE three drives me nuts.
BlZ
7-1-2015, 9:24 pm
Don't be a Kuchno!
AJS
7-1-2015, 11:23 pm
Youd rather have Bob Walk? Lets be honest the Bucs foursome is pretty bad. Neverett is about as boring as they come. Walk has like 3 cliches he repeats every night. Wehner tries too hard to make bad plays sound ok. And Brown is a little over dramatic though I honestly find him to be the funnest to listen to.
BlZ
7-1-2015, 11:41 pm
I can tolerate Walk a little more ... Wehner and Neverret are killers ... especially together ... Brown is my favorite of the 4 ... aside from Blass of course!
Durka
7-1-2015, 8:20 pm
Hey steelag, how many are you allowed to keep in your league?
Orioles are working to trade Delmon Young and an NL team is believed to have had discussions. Giants and Pirates are the speculated interested parties.
Don't be a Kuchno! ... we are talking about Rajai Davis!
frankkuchno
7-1-2015, 10:36 pm
"Tony Plush has more!"
Tony Plush IS Nyger.....you putz!
AJS
7-1-2015, 11:26 pm
Kuchno do you ever do anything around here other than disagree? Any original thoughts? When people use stats you say sabre is garbage. When they go traditional you want more stats. in this case yes tplush came up as having more than davis but the conversation itself was about davis not tplush.
In all seriousness.....that is the beauty of baseball,
You never know.
AJS
7-1-2015, 11:37 pm
Now there Frank I totally agree with you. That is absolutely the beauty of baseball. Who would have thought after 20 years and 2 epic collapses the Bucs would not only have a winning season but in fact host the wild card and abuse a guy whou they have historically been made fools by? And who would have thought that a season later after a terrible start that team would rebound to be 1 game from taking the division only to get made a fool by Madison Bumgarner?
A year later this team has a better record than last but could well end up WC bound again. And it has all the same warts. Spotty hitting. Overused bull pen. And a few more...sloppy fielding and base running. But here they are battling again.
You just never know.
Frank I appologize for my snide comment earlier. It was a long rough day and the contrarian stuff just hit the wrong nerve.
tigers have mediocre pitching and with that payroll and for the position players, they are stuck with some really bad contracts. Am at a loss
how these clubs can pay those big bucks with declining attendance, Phillies are now a joke and can;t draw for anything. Those long term contracts are just killers on a non playoff or less than 500 team.
Detroit Tigers left fielder Delmon Young apologized to his team and fans Friday, just before getting arraigned on a hate crime harassment charge for a fight at his hotel during which police say he yelled anti-Semitic epithets.Apr 28, 2012
BlZ
7-1-2015, 11:44 pm
Don't be a Kuchno! .... this has no bearing on todays DFA ... that was over with in 2012!
July 1, 2015
Final: Pirates 9, Tigers 3
by Josh Yohe • Game previews
DETROIT — Four hours to first pitch…
Game: Pirates (43-33) vs. Detroit Tigers (39-37), 7:08 p.m., Comerica Park
Pitchers: RHP A.J. Burnett (6-3, 2.01) vs. RHP Alfredo Simon (7-4, 3.57)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 4:58 p.m.: Tigers catcher Victor Martinez had some inflammatory things to say about the Pirates following Tuesday’s 14-inning marathon. During that game, Starling Marte and Pedro Alvarez were hit by pitches. In between, Gerrit Cole hit Martinez, who didn’t react positively. He was still angry following the game. “I mean, I have no respect for no one on that team, including Cole and their coaching staff,” said Martinez. He continued, “If they think that (Justin) Verlander hit Marte with a 1-2 count … he was battling that at-bat,” Martinez said. “If they really think we did it on purpose, they’re playing the wrong sport. Nothing else to say.” A direct Cole was asked about Martinez’s comments and the events of last night. Here’s what he had to say at approximately three hours before today’s first pitch:
Clint Hurdle responded with a simple sentence. “I wasn’t aware that he was the voice of reason.” During Cole’s exchange with the media, tonight’s starter, A.J. Burnett, listened to every word.
Clint Hurdle asks the umpires for a video review Tuesday night. — GETTY