Odd happenings with Giants, Angels

by helen on May 17, 2006 3:20 AM CDT

Last night two very strange things happened in baseball, neither of which had much to do with the Cubs. (Except that one of them involved the Astros losing.)

First, Astro's pitcher Russ Springer threw five consecutive pitches at Barry Bonds. He was warned after his first pitch, a slider, went behind Bonds. The next three were all very much inside, with Bonds having to get out of the way a time or two. One of the pitches hit the handle of Bonds' bat for a strike, and so on a 3-1 count, Springer plunked Bonds. Both Springer and Garner were ejected at this point. The weirdest part is that no one has offered an explaination why. I saw the at-bat while in a restaurant, so I didn't get any audio, but it seemed clear Springer was trying to hit Bonds. Anyone got any ideas as to why?

The next odd thing was far more lighthearted. In the bottom of the 6th inning at Angel Stadium, with two outs and Scott Schoenweiss (former Angel) pitching, Jose Molina stole second. Now, first thing, Jose is slow, I mean, slow for a catcher. Second thing, the guy behind the plate? Former Angel Benji Molina, Jose's brother. Everyone got a good laugh when it happened. Then we all got an even bigger laugh in the top of the 7th when, with two outs Benji (who I've thought for years is the slowest man in baseball, though Bonds gives him a "run" for his money this year) gets a hit and then steals second while Jose is behind the plate. Both Molina brothers scored after their steals, too.

So, as for the other odd thing, has anyone ever heard of two brothers stealing bases in the same game when their brother was behind the plate?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Bonds

Here's an article that sort of explains what happens. Funny little thing, bonds hit a homer off Springer back in 03 and the next two times Bonds has faced him, including yesterday, he's been plunked.

by VS on May 17, 2006 5:46 AM CDT reply actions

Probably some of what Stark says...

and Mike Krukow (Giants analyst) put the blame all on Garner. The game was already out of hand, so plunk Bonds (on Garner's orders) and dare Matt Morris to retaliate today, the last time the teams meet in 2006.

Of course, the way Morris has pitched for the Giants, a quick ejection for throwing inside might actually help them.

by bison on May 17, 2006 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Springer

read my letter to Santa!

she

by Sarah Hope on May 17, 2006 7:12 AM CDT reply actions

so you like it when

a pitcher nearly pegs a player in the head? That seems pretty cold-hearted to me regardless of who he is. The last pitch springer threw was REAL close to Bonds's head. Since it was unquestionably intentional, i would only be a little bit surprised if MLB suspends Springer.

Oh and by the way, Springer is pretty pathetic. Bonds hits a homer off him and then Springer pegs him on the first pitch the next time they face each other. That's ridiculous. The fact that he did it again only confirms that.

by tal1286 on May 17, 2006 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

You're right, you're right

That was callous. And also false since I was not brought up to believe in Santa Claus. I'm an unfeeling liar.

I just reeeeeeeally don't like Bonds, and since we've been talking about him getting hit for so long, it seemed appropriate.

It's funny, I didn't mind when Zambrano plunked Edmonds in the thigh... twice. (remember that? And he berated him while he was running the bases? It was awesome!) And I definitely don't mind when Woody beans someone. And i love that story about Maddux saying he was going to bean the next guy he saw despite the threat of being sent down to the minors.

But I am STILL pissed at Josh Beckett for trying to hit Sosa in the 2003 postseason.

So you might say that I'm a little biased.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 17, 2006 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

i can see that

but the difference is that, for example, zambrano hit edmonds in the thigh, about as far away from the head as you can get.

Another difference is that springer stinks, and everybody else that you mentioned is good, or at least has been at some point.

by tal1286 on May 17, 2006 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

What difference

does it make if they're "good" or not?

--Tim http://fridayafternoonintheuniverse.blogspot.com

by elscorcho0682 on May 17, 2006 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

This is true.

BUT he had the balls to hit Bonds. Not only hit him, but he tried like 5 times after being warned. Now THAT is funny.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 17, 2006 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

As long as the players Bonds

I could care less what happens to the Impish cheater

by cubsfan2883 on May 17, 2006 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Ouch!

That's a KO!

And for the record, it's funny because it didn't hit him in the head. Kind of like America's Funniest Home Videos.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 17, 2006 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Regardless of where it hits him...

it is still funny.. I wish every pitcher had the cojones that Springer had..

by cubsfan2883 on May 17, 2006 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions

i suppose that might be true

if he was hitting him for using steroids.

from past events it is pretty clear that Springer is hitting him because Bonds hit a home run off him.

Lost in the steroids controversy is the pretty clear fact that this stems from a home run that Bonds hit off him in 2001! Springer hit him in 2004 before the whole balco thing even broke.

A quick summary:

2001 - Bonds hits home run off awful player.
2004 - Awful player pegs Bonds the next time they face each other
2005 - BALCO story breaks
2006 - Awful player pegs Bonds the next time they face each other

Seems pretty clear to me it is not because of steroids or making a political point or taking a moral stand or any of that. I think it's cause Springer doesn't like Bonds for some reason and is paying him back for 1 home run.

by tal1286 on May 17, 2006 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Yadier...

is the trifecta of the Molina brothers, right?

by koramcub on May 17, 2006 7:53 AM CDT reply actions

Yep

--Tim http://fridayafternoonintheuniverse.blogspot.com

by elscorcho0682 on May 17, 2006 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Sets up funny situations as kids

All three of them with catchers mitts standing around. "I don't want to pitch, you pitch!"

by JonH on May 17, 2006 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

or rather

¡No quiero lanzar!

by JonH on May 17, 2006 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a...

...good one!

by koramcub on May 17, 2006 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

That must have been

some crazy competition growing up. I mean, my brother and I were both catchers and that was crazy enough...I couldn't imagine there being another one of us who was also a catcher.

--Tim http://fridayafternoonintheuniverse.blogspot.com

by elscorcho0682 on May 17, 2006 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Unfortunately for us, according

to the Molina brothers, the cardinals ended up with the cream of the crop in Yadier. YAY!

"You know what God told the cubs. Don't do anything until I get back!" Pete Rose

by Will71081 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 17, 2006 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

haha

that is awesome, I wonder what mama and pappa were thinking watching that.

...the artist formerly priorpwnz.

by Faith plus 1 on May 17, 2006 10:40 AM CDT reply actions

In this case fiction is better than fact

The Molina brothers stealing on each other was
fun but I HIGHLY reccoment the short story
THE BATTERY by W.P Kinsella about a remarkable
pair of brothers from central America who become
the most inseperable catcher and pitcher of all time

This story is part of Kinsella's short story collection
THE THRILL OF THE GRASS which contains the greatest
fiction piece ever written about the Cubs
THE LAST PENNANT BEFORE ARMAGEDDEN

Everyone should read it

by jessica on May 17, 2006 12:20 PM CDT reply actions