Carlos Gomez Hasn't Learned A Thing

BS. He didn't do anything many other guys don't do. Cole overreacted.

 

It was stupid for potentially costing him a HR, but that's it.

This thread could be very divisive.

 

Here's a text message conversation I had with a friend of mine on the topic, who is an ex-big leaguer with a few WS rings:

 

______________

Me:

Wanted to get your opinion on this...I think we can agree that Carlos Gomez needs to relax a bit. Negative attention thrown his way- I get it, I understand it, I'm with it. But Gerritt Cole yelled at him for watching a triple. For some reason, I feel like I was always in the minority as a pitcher. I didn't care what the hitter did after he hit the ball. Him watching the triple hurt his own team, and didn't affect Cole in any way. Am I wrong for thinking Cole was ridiculous for reacting like that? Gomez's actions aren't Cole's problems, in my opinion. Especially in this specific instance. I think that's what I'm trying to say.

 

Friend:

I can agree with all of that. Fair take. 

 

Me:

Cool, I thought I was crazy for thinking that way. Gomez overreacted, but Cole was sensitive. 

 

Friend:

Agree and agree.

________________

 

Gomez's actions today were detrimental to his team, and that is an issue. But Cole's reaction to Gomez, frankly, makes no sense to me at all. Although, I've never understood most of the "unwritten rules" of the game, so maybe that's my fault. I don't know. I think most of them are kind of ridiculous.

 

 

He didn't watch it in admiration. He was mad at himself. He does that on most of his fly balls (not a good trait to have, but not something aimed at the defense.)

Matt, did you read that those were his thoughts or is that your opinion?  IMO, he was watching a homerun.  It wasn't.  When I used to pitch, I never had to deal with this stuff.  Hitters ran hard until they knew it was out.  Times have changed.  Is Gomez the only one doing it?  NOPE!  However, he is getting a reputation and that is not a good thing.  Of course his fans and the team will stand behind him but this reputation and his willingness to take swings at opposing team members is going to end up with him having a very long suspension.  Again, JMHO!  What do I know? 

Having (unfortunately) watched him for multiple PAs a game for multiple seasons, he does that on most fly balls.

 

And he didn't take a swing until Snider came out (after it was calmed down, mind you)  and swung at him.

WOW, to react with physical violence to someone chirping at you! If that was the norm a hockey game would break out at all baseball games. If you cant take some chirping at you without that kind of reaction then you need some help. It has become his MO. The kid needs some serious counseling from somebody. This has nothing to do with Cole. Absolutely nothing. So what if he was barking at him, goes on quite a bit in games. To even try and justify what Gomez did is just outlandish.And no, he started getting physical and being restrained well before all of that. Helmet slammed down, screaming and pointing and trying to get at Coles. NO EXCUSE FOR IT, PERIOD!

He didn't react to Cole, he reacted to Snider punching him.

"This has nothing to do with Cole. Absolutely nothing."

 

I disagree with this.

 

Cole walked towards third base to create a confrontation.  To me, Cole is the instigator.  And BTW, that is not at all out of character for Cole, who has a long history of being a (very talented) hothead.

 

True, Gomez should learn that he doesn't have to prove his manhood every time someone says something.  Grow up, dude. 

 

But this all started with Cole and he should be among the suspended.  He saw a can of gasoline and said to himself, "Hey, I wonder what will happen if I go over there and throw a lit match?"

Also bear in mind that Cole is still a youngster by MLB standards.  A veteran is not likely to take kindly to Cole presuming to tell him off.

Carlos Gomez is a punk who uses a "look at me" approach to hitting home runs. He watched that ball because he thought it was gone. Gerrit Cole overreacted to the situation. Yelling at Gomez as he rounded the bases would have been acceptable. Going after him was over the top. But if you saw Gomez's post game interview he acted like a arrogant punk again while Cole admitted to overreacting. 

 

John Kruk had a good response to the situation while announcing last night's ESPN game. Cole should have kept his composure and mouth shut. Then drill Gomez in the ribs the next time up. Kruk added Gomez's teammates should approach him, tell him he's going to take one in the ribs, shut up and go to first. Kruk added Gomez is going to have some upset teammates if they start getting drilled following him in the lineup due to his actions. Regardless of what anyone thinks about drilling hitters, Kruk's view is the old school MLB view where most pitchers can dot the I on a uniform.

As an aside, Howard Cosell used to say about sports brawls -- intending to invoke his self-image as a boxing afficionado -- that he "never saw a ball player who could fight."

 

Too bad Cosell didn't live to see yesterday's brawl, because one of the most devastating punches I've ever seen in baseball got landed in the midst of it.  I'm surprised there's not a broken hand and a concussion coming out of that haymaker.

Except, when you actually watch him on this play, he's cursing himself out as he's watching. He didn't think it was out. As I've said, he does this (irritatingly) on many fly balls.

There was a funny scene in the Bruins-Red Wings game yesterday. 6'2" Brendan Smith got into a shoving match with 6'9" Zdeno Chara. Chara dropped his stick and laughed at Smith. He probably was saying to Smith, "You really want a piece of me?" The announcers then said Smith was probably thinking, "Where the hell is the linesman to break this up?"

 

That's how I see most baseball fights: Hold me back before I do something stupid and get hurt.

RJM, nice post and the way baseball used to be.  I don't know if it is the same now.  I posted in another thread on bean balls, that I was plunked in the head.  I knew it was coming although I thought in the ribs.  I was innocent.  My teammate was a jerk.  At the time, and back in the day, everyone in the stands knew what was going to happen.  Everyone on the bench knew what was going to happen.  The umpires knew.  Then, the pitcher let one fly and it took off.  He never intended to hit me in the head.  I still believe that.  Yet, I paid for my teammate.  You bet I had words with my teammate when I was better.  I'm not saying this is ok.  I am saying that this is the way it was once upon a time. 

Here's my take... if you don't want someone to stare at the ball they just it a long way... don't let them hit it a long way.

Coach Sampson, that is why you and I are from different eras.  My take is act like you are used to doing it.  I think that is why so many have 180 degree opposite opinions of incidents like this.  Different eras. 

I'm sorry, but that's not what I see at all... He was bat-flipping and Cadillac-ing... NO question...

 

 

CoachB that is what I tell my pitchers... it prevents them from getting mad at the wrong person. Focus on what you need to do to prevent him from hitting the ball that far again.

We always talk about how much of a mental game this is and this is the perfect example. Batter is trying to pump himself up by staring at what he thinks in a bomb. Pitcher trying to pump himself up by yelling at the batter to hopefully strand him at 3rd. They are both right and wrong in this situation.

I wish batters wouldn't take 30 seconds to get around the bases on home runs. I also wish pitchers and Brian McCann weren't so sensitive to "disrespect". A lot of the times it just turns into a D measuring contest and then you get a brawl that breaks out.

Midlo, then it is totally acceptable to go into the other dugout and start punching if you don't like the bench jockeying. Sorry, but Cole was in the area backing up 3b as well he should have. He approached his thirdbasemen for the ball and started saying whatever it was he said. BIG DEAL. That does not justify, give a green light or whatever you want to call it for taking your helmet off going after Cole and being restrained. All that has nothing to do with Cole. I don't care what he said! There is a reason this is the third team for Gomez. If he wanted to really do something all he had to do was smile and say look where I'm at. Going ballistic is not the answer. Further, this is even bigger because its part of his MO. That's indisputable.

Matt what composure, if any one lost their composure it was Gomez hands down. It appears you are a Brewers fan so I will take that into account. But to say Gomez didn't lose it until Snyder is being in LALA Land

"then it is totally acceptable to go into the other dugout and start punching if you don't like the bench jockeying."

 

I never said that.  Gomez's reaction was excessive and unacceptable.  But that doesn't change the fact that Cole played a role in provoking the outburst.  And even if it hadn't been Gomez, any time you start running your mouth towards a hyped-up professional athlete in the midst of the heat of battle, the person running his mouth should understand that he's playing with fire.

 

My point was not that Gomez was justified.  Never said that.  My point was that Cole was also at fault and maybe more at fault.  And for all the talk about Gomez's past flare-ups, it bears mentioning that this is not exactly a first for Cole and his big mouth, either. 

Not only can you not see, it looks like you can't read, either. Where did I say he didn't lose his composure until Snider being in? I said he didn't swing until Snider did. 

No question, huh? This thread would indicate otherwise.

Yup. No question at all... watch from 3:57 on... They focus on him... he doesn't look mad at himself, he's totally admiring his work...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl...10&vkey=news_mlb

$50 says the Cole kid picks his nose... $50 more says he eats it...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLKF4BSb1_w

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-jlQS-Wuc0

 

 

Matt, but when you try to justify his outburst helmet banging having to be restrained and then blame it on Snyder that's giving him a pass. And it never calmed down. The reason Snyder and the rest of the Pirates went out was because of Gomes trying to get at Cole.

Matt13,

 

Please re-read the etiquette rules for this site.

 

FYI, you should soon be contacted by the site moderators.  You can blame me, because I reported you.

He thought it was out, any one can see that except a homer.

I am a Brewer Fan, and Gomez does some things that make me shake my head.  With that said, the Pirates have no right to be upset with Gomez thinking he hit a long home run, as this video link below this post will clearly show, the Pirates did the same thing in the first game of the series.  And for anybody who thinks it cost Gomez an Inside the Park Home run didn't really watch the video.  He didn't stand very long at home, he started jogging pretty quickly and about 1/2 way down the line he turned it on.  

 

And for the person who said Cole was backing up,..no he wasn't he had to walk up the line towards 3rd base to get the ball, he wasn't behind it.  

 

Cole and Gomez both lit a match, if Snyder doesn't come out charging and barking, all we are talking about is two guys barking at each other and that is about it.  I don't blame Snyder for doing it, and I don't blame  Maldolnado for hitting Snyder, you got to stand up for teammates, even if they are wrong at times.

 

One last thing, the person I truly blame is Sammy Sosa!  Remember his "Sosa Hop" on a home run?  

 

Just my 2 cents.

Said Video:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6...nter-field/?c_id=pit

 

 

Saw the video. Gomez just another typical showboat punk. H should just stand there and pose  to make a baseball card or something.

I saw 3 characters:
Biggest Barney Fife was Cole. He should have been drilled in his next at bat. Learn your role and do your job better next time.
Biggest future WWE wanna be Gomez. Point to scoreboard and laugh at Barney instead of acting like 5 year old.
Future cell mate bunny Snider. You showed everyone you are a punk and no respect for the game.

Don't tell me what to do.

 

For the record, I know the rules, and did nothing wrong. I'm not about to let someone put words in my mouth like the last time a similar discussion was had.

Matt - I agree. You violated no board rules. Assume Midlo thought better and deleted his post, 'cause I can't find it. Good. But I have to ask (and frankly, I put this in the s*#t happens category, since they're all testosterone-ridden, highly competitive young athletes): When you see the video, do you stand by your earlier statement?

 

He didn't watch it in admiration. He was mad at himself.

 

'Cause it doesn't look that way to me. Looks like he was admiring a shot.

 

Eye of the beholder maybe. And perhaps this explains how umps in NY see different things on replay.

Yes, because that's how he's reacted many times before on fly balls. From what I saw as he approached first, he was in his own head. It was my assessment even before I saw what his explanation was. When he gets excited, he can't stand still.

All of you blue-hairs on here bemoaning the degradation of your beloved sport better get used to it, as baseball is becoming more and more Latino every year. I enjoy the emotion and flair that comes with the Latino style of play, so it doesn't bother me. Colleges in the U.S. are dropping baseball, while MLB enjoys signing players on the cheap from outside of the country. It's a trend that will likely continue.

sidenote - reminds me of people calling Richard Sherman a "thug"

First, here is a link to the Board Manners:

 

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/board_manners.htm

 

The bold above would be considered a violation of the Board Manner in that Matt is attacking another member who disagrees with his assertions on Gomez.  The difference is that this makes it personal. That is not appropriate for this site. 

 

I think that this is a good place for everyone to go read the Board Manners.  We (Myself and other moderators) have allowed some arguments to continue that maybe should have been "nipped in the bud."  We are not going to get to the point that, per the Board Manners" flaming and personal attacks are the norm.  Count on that!

It's not an issue of disagreeing, it's an issue of him repeatedly mischaracterizing what I say. Actually, it's not even mischaracterizing, it's MSU.

 

This has happened far too much for me not to address it. And if you feel that's personal, well, I'm not going to shy away from people outright lying about what I said. 

... and take to the bank that this is not going to become a flaming war/site.  I'll take care of that.