Games » Baltimore Orioles
May5Taking one for the team
Lee Judge
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About a month ago, I wrote that Wilson Betemit should be willing to get hit by a pitch (it was an 81-mph slider) with the bases loaded in a tie game.
Then I started thinking — what if I manned up, put my money (or my elbow) where my mouth was and stepped in front of one?
I made the mistake of telling Jason Kendall what I was thinking. His response? “You wearing an elbow pad?” as he rummaged through his locker.
“Uh, yeah, I guess so … what are you doing?”
“Getting you an elbow pad — we’re gonna get this done right now.”
But I decided that if I did this, I was getting it on video.
Kendall strongly suggested that I take it in the bicep (Dude, I ain’t got all that much happening in the bicep area.) Chris Getz suggested I turn and take it in the back. I thought maybe I should listen to Chris, since Jason’s a little intense. I’m not sure I should take advice from the Chuck Norris of baseball.
Then Matt Treanor heard about it. “You want to get hit by a pitch?” I explained I didn’t exactly want to, but after lipping off, thought I should. Matt’s response: “I’m in.”
I told Royals hitting coach Kevin Seitzer the plan, and he laughed until he cried.
I knew what I was doing — I used to lead my team every year in getting hit by pitches. It was either a brilliant strategy to increase my on-base percentage or I was too slow to get out of the way.
They all showed up early (apparently, the way to get ballplayers to show at your charity event is by offering to get smoked by a slider while they watch.) Seitzer and Kelly Heath dialed in the two-wheeled pitching machine and tried to set it to throw an 81-mph slider, but something was wrong with the power — it kept stopping, slowing down and speeding up.
I took it as a sign that God didn’t want this to happen, but Seitz and Kendall finally got the machine fixed.
Kelly got two readings of 81 mph, and Kevin told me to get in there before the machine got out of whack again. (Here’s a helpful hint: If you’re going to do something scary, thinking about it doesn’t help … as they say in the Special Forces, “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.”)
Look, I really did know what I was doing. I knew it was going to hurt. Pain and injury are two different things, just ask a ballplayer … or some juvenile cartoonists.
Watch the video and you’ll see what happened. A short review: The machine got one last surge, and instead of taking the 81-mph slider, I got 92 mph in the lower back.
(I hope you all appreciate the sacrifice I made when I gave up my six-pack abs to build up some protective fat around my waist. Talk about dedication — I’ve been training for this for 58 years.)
Word spread quickly. Players were requesting a look at the bruise. Ned Yost was impressed. Melky Cabrera came up, motioned me to lift my shirt, grinned and walked away, speaking Spanish and probably explaining what an idiot I am. Mike Aviles was upset that he wasn’t invited to see me wear one. (“Wearing” is the current slang for taking blame or getting hit by a pitch.)
So I figured that was it: I’d shown that I’m a man of my word and can take it like a pro. Then Treanor said, “For your next stunt, we put the gear on you and you try to block the plate while Kila tries to score.”
I decided it was time to pull the plug on “Jackass: The Baseball Edition.”
For the record: I still think Betemit should’ve worn that slider, but I now have a very good idea of why he didn’t.
Much less important than me getting drilled, but the Royals did play
The general feeling seemed to be that bringing up Eric Hosmer means the Royals are serious about winning now. According to Ned Yost, they still feel that Kila Ka’aihue is going to be productive, but he needs some time in the minors to work on his approach.
When it rains, run
In the first inning, Chris Getz scored from second on a single to short center from Melky Cabrera. There were no outs, and Adam Jones, the Orioles’ center fielder, was moving forward. Not a situation in which you normally get aggressive on the bases.
Melky moved up to second on the throw home and then he scored on a single from Gordon to right, once again challenging an outfielder who was moving forward and should’ve gotten off a good throw.
Now Gordon was on first, and Billy Butler hit a fly ball deep to right center. Alex tagged up, but didn’t challenge Adam Jones’ arm. So what was up? Does Jones have a weak arm or not?
The answer? Probably wet grass. The singles bounced to the outfield, making sure they were handling a wet ball, and the fly ball flew to the outfield, meaning Adam Jones had a dry ball. (I’ll try to ask someone about this tomorrow to find out if I’m actually right.)
A good teammate
I asked Mitch Maier about his playing time, and he had a surprising answer: If he wasn’t playing, that was a good sign for the team. Mitch not playing meant that all of the starting outfielders were healthy and having good seasons.
He said his job was staying ready and being a good teammate. He figured once it got hotter, they were going to need more rest, but a healthy, productive outfielder was going to play in 150 games, and that was fine with him if it helped the team get where it wants to be.
How do you not pull for a guy like that?
Cabrera
Chen
Getz
Awesome. My guess is if Wilson had it to do all over again, he would have worn the slider. However, it is pure instinct in the moment, and everything from evolution to his lifetime in baseball has his instinct to get the heck out of the way. So I will never blame a guy for getting out of the way.
Thoughts on Hosmer? I expected it to be closer to June. But I guess the writing was on the wall with Kila missing several games the last ten days or so. I just think if he is up here, he needs to be in the lineup everyday.
Yeah, your instinct is to move or turn and take it. I learned to turn and take it. (Much to my regret.)
And your point about Kila is correct, I think they felt he needed to be playing every day to work his way back to where he wanted to be.
Lee, I absolutely love this column. Gives much insight to what the various moves are in a game. I have followed baseball for many years but never really understood the finer managerial points. Thanks. Also, just watching the video of you getting drilled was hilarious. Seems like this team has awesome chemistry. Kila has to be disapointed at getting sent down, but he should understand as well.
1) You're a damn fool. Or you're extremely smart because you've become one of the clubhouse guys.
2) I hope Hosmer hits the stuffing out of the ball. What we really need is more starting pitching at the major league level though. Once they move some of the young arms to the major league level I'll know we're serious about contending this year.
Lee, you are the man! I had to listen at work today, but got to watch tonight and you're also in good with the wife since she got to see Jason Kendall in the couple shots.
The game was great and it was great attack by all around, not just one play (well Melky had a big day WITH a walk) Think you'll get to see DDJ since he's back in town tomorrow?
As far as Hosmer coming up, we'll see what happens, I think Kila being written off by many fans is very premature (the comments are out there) but I think it's too early to tell what Hosmer can do, and what we don't want is Hosmer to suffer at the plate as the rookie and then all the fans to now get down on him. Alex Gordon is the example of lots of potential, and not much production for years, but finally he's living up to his potential. I wonder how ticket sales are going to be over the weekend....
Richard:
Thanks. As I'll keep saying, I'm just trying to bring the way the coaches and players think about the game back to the website.
I learn something new every time I go to the park.
Alex:
I'm almost positive I can be a damn fool and very smart at the same time. I've made a career of it.
Like I said in the story, I've played, been hit by pitches (none were 92) and knew how to protect myself.
But I am getting high fives and fist bumps from everybody in the clubhouse. Getz and I were interviewed about it and he said an interesting thing: they appreciated someone who was willing to step in and go through that in order to explain what it was like to fans.
Treanor made a great point: I did it once, but what if a pitcher came back inside? Would I hang in there again? I have to admit, probably not. At least for awhile. These guys do it all the time and every night you see an assortment of bruises that are considered part of the business.
Kevin:
Never got to know DeJesus that well. As for Kila: I agree. Last year at this time he was the answer.
It took Alex a couple years to figure it out. People were ready to give up on Aviles early in the year. This last jump is a big one and a lot of people who tear up AAA can't make it.
I do agree that when you're scuffling, you need to play everyday somewhere. You can't get any better sitting on the bench.
My experience with Kila has been very positive.he's a very nice guy and I hope things go well for him.
Lee,That was awesome!! I love your blog and it has become my favorite daily read. Thank You for passing the baseball knowledge to your readers from the players, coaches, etc. Mike
Mike, it's been a pleasure...mostly (still a little sore around the left kidney). No blood in the urine, but should it glow in the dark?
I'll give you credit for not "rubbing it" or falling down. The video was great...you should show the readers what it looks like a day or two later ! Heck, I know guys in our league that would have paid money to throw at you !! But I give you credit for backing up your comments by getting in there. Let me know when you're going to catch and take a runner at the plate !
The day Lee catches is the day that Marc pitches. Oh, sorry this isn't the forum for such banter. Lee, you said you weren't gonna do this.....but it was a good decision. This message was sponsored by Advil.
I'll admit, there's no way I could have done that. First you impress us with this blog, and now you go and earn some man-cred by taking one in the love handles.
I just turned in some vouchers last Monday for tonights game, and now I get to see Hosmer's first game. It should be a full stadium with lots of excitement...and I'm looking forward to utilizing some of the many things you've told us to look for at the game.
Thanks for writing this each day!
Guys, thank you very much. The only problem is that the video is turning out to be such a hit I'm now being asked to endanger my life in other ways. (Scott, that was Matt Treanor's suggestion: put on the tools of ignorance and get 'trucked' at the plate.)
Stay tuned.
lee: im impressed. i get so tired of reporters criticizing players hearts when they never played the game themselves. kudos to taking one. you didnt rub it either. 9.5
lee: im impressed. i get so tired of reporters criticizing players hearts when they never played the game themselves. kudos to taking one. you didnt rub it either. 9.5
Lee, the hype today is driving me insane... According to quite a few people evidently the Royals were hurting for a someone to come up and take swings since we haven't been scoring, hitting or winning. I hope Hosmer comes in and knocks the cover off the ball. That would be great, and maybe that will get more people in the stands since we don't have Donald pitching every 5th day this season.
Let's hope everyone not just Hosmer has a good weekend against the best rotation in the AL right now. It does seem the A's are like the Royals of 2008 / 09. Good pitching, poor hitting.
BTW- I think after the video, my new nick name for you should be "Plunk" , Plunk Judge does have a nice ring to it.... See you this weekend.
Loved the comment about charging the mound.
http://deadspin.com/#!5799292/after-beaning-reporter-will-no-longer-urge-players-to-take-one-for-the-team/^comments
Well, Lee, you've officially graduated to Deadspin. If someone has already posted this I apologize but it was a must-do. Congrats on livin' the dream, coach. You've earned it.
Thanks also for giving me something other than a Dutton and Mellinger article to read in the morning (I Sam's stuff but it's nice to get a change of pace/different style). The Government's not keepin' me busy enough!
(I love Sam's stuff...)
All kidding aside, it really looks like Seitzer has added a lot to this team.
Thanks, everybody. Terry, thanks for checking in. For those of you who were here first: the videos going to be on ESPN on four different shows tonight, Sports Center being one of them (so I'm told).
Stay tuned, we're going to show the bruise and talk about the aftermath very soon.
SportsCenter? Wow. I'll have to check it out once I get home from the game. Way to take one for the team. Now if only you could have done it during the bottom of the 8th in a tie ballgame...