El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

Martin Luther King, Jr. is correct and it was on display Saturday at Fenway Park.

First off, pitchers need to throw inside to be effective but not at a batter’s head. Throwing a fastball at a hitter’s head is an act of violence like Rivera-Hillenbrand in 2002 and the infamous Clemens-Piazza incident. I believe Pedro Martinez was throwing inside to Karim Garcia. He was not trying to hit Garcia in the head or throw behind him given the circumstances of the game. A man was on third base in a tight PLAYOFF game. A wild throw, trying to hit Garcia in the head, could get by the Catcher scoring another run. It was not worth the risk. Regardless of intent, the act (I am still not convinced Garcia was actually hit by the pitch) spurred multiple foolish plays of retaliation between the Red Sox players and their opponents. Aaron Gleeman has an good and unbiased take on the situtation.

But the most asinine event occurred in the visitor’s bullpen. A Red Sox security staff person got involved in a physical altercation with a member(s) of the pen and Garcia. It is unclear how it started or all of the participants involved. The police report authored by witnesses, Det. William Dunn and Officer Michael Pankievich states that

…Jeff Nelson was observed pushing/grabbing the victim in the chest area at which time both parties fell to the ground where Jeff Nelson began punching and flaring his legs at the victim. At that point numerous other members of the Yankees bullpen jumped on the victim (some striking the victim and others attempting to break up the melee). The right fielder (Karim Garcia) from the Yankees was then observed jumping the right field wall, into the bullpen and begin striking down at the victim with his left hand.

I know Garcia was involved. I saw him jump into the bullpen, I was standing right above the visiting team’s dugout, and then Garcia came right in my sight line holding his hand with the trainer. I do not fault Garcia for trying to aid his
teammate(s). I assume he like I thought fans hopped into the pen. When he realized it was only one guy, he should have, at the very least, backed off. Of course, I do not know who started the altercation but I can not fathom why any sane person would start a fight with a professional athlete in a semi-confined area with about five of his teammates within 70 feet. By all accounts the victim is of sound mind, an exemplary Red Sox employee and Special Education Teacher. I wish him a speedy recovery.

I still BELIEVE!

Notes:
• While waiting for a beer on Saturday, a staff person said that Clemens made them wait outside before entering the Park. He was just sitting in his car making hard-working people wait to do their job. The story was confirmed by her fellow beer pourer who demonstrated his pinstripes earlier. Clemens = DONKEY
• My buddy, Tim, called last night after MLB canceled the game saying “This is proof God is a Red Sox fan.”
• Is it time to move Nomah down in the lineup like Torre did with Soriano?
• I am so envious of Pacers fans. Donnie Walsh, Larry F*$%@ Bird and former Coach of the Year, Rick Carlisle guiding the best talent in the East while playing in a great arena. I feel like the ugly step-child with Danny Ainge, Jim O’Brien, and the Fleet Center.
• "If you want to live like a Republican, you've got to vote for the Democrats." – Richard Gephardt