I agree with you wholeheartedly. This is a bunch of little league/high school/college machismo crap. I made my feelings known in the original post.

I do recommend the read, “The Baseball Codes” by Jason Turbow. Some great stories about the so-called unwritten rules.

To clarify further on the picture in the post—Doc Ellis is one of the biggest head-hunting intimidating pitchers in the history of the game. If he didn’t take offense to Buford and get all “Braden” during a nationally televised World Series game, then there isn’t an “unwritten rule” about this. If you doubt how intense Ellis felt about respect, please go see the recap and boxscore from May 1, 1974 against the Big Red Machine. He hated that his teammates fraternized with the Reds players knowing they were all nice, but wanted to kick Pittsburgh’s ass. Ellis said, “Cincinnati will bullshit with us and kick our ass and laugh at us. They’re the only team that talk about us like a dog.” So Ellis, took the “repsect” he demanded from the Reds into his own hands. First batter Pete Rose—drilled in the ribs. Second batter—Joe Morgan—drilled in the kidneys. Third batter—Dan Driessen—right in the middle of the back. Fourth batter—Tony Perez danced out of the way of 4 straight offerings at his chin and his back getting a walk and an RBI. Fifth batter—Johnny Bench—two high and tight not hitting the mark. Danny Murtaugh had enough and pulled Ellis.

If there was a “code” broken in crossing the mound, Buford would have had an earful from players and a ball in the ribs from Ellis.