Ryan Braun: Watch Out, Pirates

by Charlie Wilmoth on Apr 28, 2009 2:49 PM EDT

Hirschbeck warned both benches after the third-inning incident, in effect allowing the Pirates to take a free shot at Braun. But Hirschbeck ejected no one when Brewers catcher Jason Kendall was hit twice by pitches later in the game because he assumed no intent.

Asked if Karstens drilled him intentionally, Braun said, "Probably, yeah. It's rare for major-league pitchers to miss by that much with a fastball."

Then, issuing a not-so-wise warning to the commissioner's office, Braun added, "We play them about 17 more times (actually 13). Tell Mr. Selig, we'll see what happens. It's going to be interesting."

Interesting indeed. We'll see if there are any fireworks tonight.

Frankly, I can't blame Braun for being angry, because it seemed pretty clear that Karstens did hit him intentionally. Braun doesn't pitch, though, so we'll see whether he can convince any Brewers hurlers to keep this little tiff going.

Thanks to Big League Stew.

Tweet Comment 47 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Big column on Pirates pitching at espn.com today...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4107047

Also, bring it on, Brewers!

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry GTrain

Didn’t see your Fanpost on the column… durrrrrrr

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Look like I signed up for MLB.TV just in time!

We don’t have video but I heard from a source that Braun did the interview with a boa constrictor over his shoulders holding a giant belt and folding chair. Nobody is sure why he kept calling Karstens “brother” as the two are not believed to be directly related.

The second Kendall beaning was on his hand during a bunt attempt. I thought it was his own fault more than anyone else’s, as Yates obviously had no idea where the pitch was going.

Side note I bid $10 on a brand new Kendall Pirates jersey on ebay (it was $1.36 at the time). Tragically I was outbid, as the jersey went for $10.50

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

heh

"BRAUN!!!! I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU!! COME MONDAY NIGHT, YOU WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF THE MAN THAT RULES THE WORLD!!!"

(context)

by gonfalon on Apr 28, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait, what is that?

That’s Sabathia’s music!

by Vlad on Apr 28, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Does it seem like Braun is being a bit of a baby???

I mean, I can understand the anger at the moment but get over it and move on. Seems like he is too good of a young player to act spoiled and huffy about the idea that a pitcher could actually throw at him. If there is indeed retaliation then that is understandable and part of the game and I would hope our Buccos would take it like that and not cry to the press about it.

by biglar33 on Apr 28, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

throwing at people because they hit home runs isn't part of most teams

I’m curious whether Karstens acted on his own or whether it was the idea of someone else. Regardless what Braun is talking about is part of the game. If it results in a Pirates injury, should they just move on?

by ol Pete on Apr 28, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Its cool that he got mad

But he shouldnt have expected to go his whole career without someone throwing at him. Braun has never hit a home run he didnt fall madly in love with. The type of bravado that he illustrates on the field is the kind of thing that makes a guy a favorite for getting plunked.

I bet if there is a blowout somewhere along the lines a end of the bullpen pticher will be called in to hit someone and that will be it. If its the Pirates it will be LaRoche if its the Brewers will be Braun, Fielder or Hardy.

by backtocali on Apr 28, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

This could be fun...

We may actually see some emotion from JR this series! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him show his emotions, although it would take something really serious for him to get upset. Who would the Brewers’ pitchers go after? Ad. LaRoche? Sanchez? Karstens doesn’t hit so they can’t hit him…haha. Do they hit Morgan to start the game? I’m ready for the game tonight. If they do hit Morgan to start the game, it won’t be a baseball game anymore. It will be an ugly bloodbath out there!

by thelumberco. on Apr 28, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

I dont know if anyone knew this (SARCASM)

But Nyjer was a lifetime hockey player. Maybe they’ll make the same mistake James Shields did when he threw at former Golden Gloves Junior Champion Coco Crisp. (True story actually. Did you see him dodge that right hook?)

Also we apparently signed 2 pitchers from India and Pedro Alvarez had some issues wiht his contract or something.

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Anybody remember Dave Clark?

Link? Played for us a couple of years in the mid-90s, then coached for a few after that?

As a young lad, he was 26-0 in Golden Gloves competition, before turning to baseball full-time. Not a guy you’d want to meet during a brawl.

by Vlad on Apr 28, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Nyjer played for the Regina Pats

along with Barrett Jackman, who’s a pretty successful defenseman in the NHL today with the Blues.

by Suffering Buc on Apr 28, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

the problem with baseball "brawls"

is that they can quickly degenerate into farce, not unlike the Mad Dog Hoek episode of Ren & Stimpy:

I like you and him! He likes me! And I like him! He likes you I hope!

I think Braun needs to ask Jason Kendall to give him lessons on handling a HBP like a man.

by gonfalon on Apr 28, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

I guess I would say the opposite

I’m not sure how many times Kendall has been drilled in his back deliberately so that might not be the best example. Its kind of ironic that “being a man” is to shuffle to first.

Did Karstens man up and defend his actions?

by ol Pete on Apr 28, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry about that... by "handling a HBP like a man",

… I meant being a professional and simply taking your base. I would wager that as the active leader in HBP, Kendall knows a lot about being hit by a pitch, but not so much about fighting since fighting isn’t part of major league baseball. if I want to see grown men pretend to fight and yell at each other like Mad Dog Hoek, I’ll tune in to Monday Night Raw, not a baseball game. (YMMV.)

by gonfalon on Apr 28, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Kendall fights OK

Anybody else remember him kicking Gary Sheffield in the face at home plate?

by Vlad on Apr 28, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

He never pretended to fight. Like I said, shuffling to first isn’t being a man or professional. Throwing at the top of someone’s back isn’t being a man or professional. Telling Karstens the truth is being a man.

by ol Pete on Apr 29, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Does the new comment moderation policy apply to the polar opposite of emasculation? In other words, since he thinks so much of his strength, can I call him Ryan BRAWN after these comments?

[groan]

by CptnAwesome on Apr 28, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

lol

booo!

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

More like Cryan Braun!

Thanks I’ll be here all week. Try the veal it’s fantastic.

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Now that

I like!

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Veal pun was unintentional and painful

just like Karstens fastball in your back HEY-O!

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Those jokes are so good they belong on Leno!

by CptnAwesome on Apr 28, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I’m sorry. I know we should try to avoid insulting posters. My apologies.

by CptnAwesome on Apr 28, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Braun doesn't pitch?

Or does he?

Dun dun dun!

by Vlad on Apr 28, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Did anyone notice

Fats Fielder tagging Nyjer a little harder than usual? Maybe Nyjer should jump up and pull Fielder’s parachute um… I mean shirt over his head and start wailing on him. That kid’s a punk anyway.

Also, I don’t think Karstens threw at Braun intentionally, I actually can’t remember a Pirate pitcher actually doing it on purpose. I WOULD like to see it more often though, guys like Tejada from the Astros need buzzed. I really wish that Valverde would bat, I’d love to see someone plunk him in his fat ass.

I’m tired of teams thinking that they can walk all over the Bucs, that includes umpires too, I have seen some of the worst umpiring in history the last 2 games.

by Piratefan13 on Apr 28, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

dude, Karstens threw at Braun intentionally. I would, too. He’s a punk on the field!

by thelumberco. on Apr 28, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

At first I didn't think it was intentional

but the Brewers already lead the majors in HBP, so I think the strategy was to try to get inside their heads a little… Didn’t work…

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

looked more like they were pals to me

How do you feel about spiking players?

by ol Pete on Apr 28, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not crazy about it, but I’m in the small minority that also thinks that fighting in the NHL is stupid…

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

that's a great idea!

We should have enforcers in baseball. They could just fight each other in the bullpen like a cage match while the bleacher bums wave fans of money. That way none of the expensive players could get hurt.

McLouth is The Trouth

by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

seems contradictory to your earlier posts

by ol Pete on Apr 28, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I know...

I’m not crazy about it, but if it’s gonna happen, I’m gonna root for my team to win the fight…

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That doesn’t make much sense. A lot of people are excited about throwing at the top of someone’s back because he helped beat the Pirates. I wondered about spiking players and you sounded ambivalent.

by ol Pete on Apr 29, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we should throw at him in the first inning tonight...

by Piratefan13 on Apr 28, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Everything about Braun

makes him look babyish. His facial expression, his visible disinterest when he’s in the field, and his cocky attitude combine to make him a puke.

He’s a great player, but also a diva, IMO.

by Suffering Buc on Apr 28, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Damn!

No McLouth again. I suspect this is much more serious than we thought.

   1. Morgan, CF
   2. Sanchez, 2B
   3. Moss, LF
   4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
   5. Hinske, RF
   6. Andy LaRoche, 3B
   7. Jaramillo, C
   8. Bixler, SS
   9. Maholm, P

vs.

   1. Weeks, 2B
   2. Hart, RF
   3. Braun, LF
   4. Fielder, 1B
   5. Cameron, CF
   6. Hardy, SS
   7. Hall, 3B
   8. Rivera, C
   9. Bush, P

by Suffering Buc on Apr 28, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Well....

If Braun is threatening violence tonight and tomorrow morning, then perhaps it’s not the best time to gamble with bringing McLouth back in to the game.

by IAPiratesFan on Apr 28, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

silly stuff

Brewers should hit Nate, who I’m quite certain will sprint to 1B and proceed to steal 2B (unless someone other than Kendall is behind the plate). That’s the end of it. If Nate sits due to injurty, they hit LaRoche who gets to first much slower and probably doesn’t even test Kendall for stealing 2B.

What neither will do is posture at the pitcher or whine about it to the media after the game.

by chicos_pants on Apr 28, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

unless they are injured

by ol Pete on Apr 29, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, they said that McLouth would miss the entire series against the Brewers. They said he wouldn’t go on the DL, but they are being extremely cautious with it. I don’t think it’s serious enough to warrant a DL stint, but they just don’t want to rush him back at all. I think he’ll be back for the Reds series on Fri.

by thelumberco. on Apr 28, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

who’s pitching for the Brewskies tonight?

by thelumberco. on Apr 28, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Ben Sheets.

by Suffering Buc on Apr 28, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Brewers want to get into a HBP duel with us then bring it on.

We’ve got Hansen, Veal and Yates in our BP all of them can bring the heat. The only issue is whether their control is good enough to actually hit the batter, they might mistakenly throw strikes when trying to intentionally hit the batter.

by houksyndrome on Apr 28, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I can hear it now.

Tyler Yates said after the game “Well, i didn’t mean to strike out six guys tonight, I was trying to hit all of them with a pitch. Never worked out the way I wanted.”

by IAPiratesFan on Apr 28, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

In light of Braun's comments

I imagine the first pitcher to plunk someone gets tossed.

There's no crying in baseball...

by phillybucco on Apr 28, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Heh

Reminds me of a game I went to last year, the one where I ended up sitting next to the section full of scouts. There’d already been some kind of dustup earlier in the game (think Minky was involved), and then for the ninth inning the Pirates brought in Hansen to mop up. I said to one of the scouts, “If he buzzes the batter, it’s not retaliation. He really doesn’t know where the pitch is going.”

About three pitches later Hansen buzzed one about head-high inside, and everybody took it calmly.

by bucdaddy on Apr 28, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions