The Twins add another rule to the unwritten rule list

[adambr2]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/twins-completely-overreact-orioles-bunting-beat-shift-one-hitter-225336945.html

 

This is absolutely ridiculous. Get a grip, shut up and play, and don't whine when someone uses their own strategy to counter your strategy. It's not like the guy was even protecting a no-hitter.

 

Disappointing to see this come from a team that isn't the Cardinals.

[bigredrobbo]

Exactly - especially since they, to some, might be perceived as disrespecting the game by an extreme shift in the 9th, up 7 against a rookie CATCHER, for pete's sake. Last time I checked, your best form of defense is offense. They give you a base runner, take it and see if you can get him home.

[owbc]

Meh, even Paul Molitor seemed to agree with the Orioles.

[adambr2]

Exactly - especially since they, to some, might be perceived as disrespecting the game by an extreme shift in the 9th, up 7 against a rookie CATCHER, for pete's sake. Last time I checked, your best form of defense is offense. They give you a base runner, take it and see if you can get him home.

 

Yep. It's the pettiest whining I've seen since the Cardinals player (Ankiel?) complained about being thrown something other than fastballs in a blowout game.

 

I wish they would just figuratively throw the unwritten rulebook in the fire and burn it already. Too convaluted, too many different interpretations, cultural differences, all stemming from nothing but thin skinned veterans citing "tradition" in a game that has changed constantly over decades and that most of them probably know nothing about historically.

 

Just play the damn game to win and let the other guy do the same and keep your mouth shut if his way doesn't coincide with yours. That's the only unwritten rule they need.

[adambr2]

Meh, even Paul Molitor seemed to agree with the Orioles.

 

Which is why it was shocking to me to see numerous players besides Dozier complain about this on the Twins' side.

[bigredrobbo]

Others I can't stand.

 

1. Complaints about teams taking advantage of pitchers tipping their pitch. So I SHOULDN'T use the poker player's "tell" to my advantage to beat him? Got it.

2. Easing off while ahead by a (perceived) large lead. Unless the other side says "no mas" and walks off in submission, play like you would at 0-0. We've seen 6, 7, 8 run leads evaporate over the years, so this imaginary mercy rule is dumb, IMO.

3. Fans booing throws to first to keep a runner close. Wut? This is just dumb.

[jerichoholicninja]

Others I can't stand.

 

1. Complaints about teams taking advantage of pitchers tipping their pitch. So I SHOULDN'T use the poker player's "tell" to my advantage to beat him? Got it.

2. Easing off while ahead by a (perceived) large lead. Unless the other side says "no mas" and walks off in submission, play like you would at 0-0. We've seen 6, 7, 8 run leads evaporate over the years, so this imaginary mercy rule is dumb, IMO.

3. Fans booing throws to first to keep a runner close. Wut? This is just dumb.

 

Never heard that one before.

[JosephC]

Great job by Sisco. Laying down bunts like that with the shift on is a guaranteed way to not make an out. More major league players would be wise to figure that out.

 

I'd say that asking Sisco to make an out in that situation so some lazy Twins players can get home 5 minutes earlier would be disrespecting the game. Hats off to the young guy for doing what all hitters should be focused on doing in that situation, not making an out.

[CheezWizHed]

That was a beauty of a bunt too.

[Mays Hayes]

I wish it would've been to break up a no-hitter. If you put that shift on, laying the bunt down is absolutely appropriate... In any circumstance.

[Patrick425]

So putting a shift on when you are ahead by 7 is in the 9th inning is ok, but bunting against that shift is not? Everyone keeps saying, it's not like it was a no-hitter. I think the bunt would have been even more justifiable if it were a no-hitter. What team wants to be no-hit? If you are going to give me a chance to break up a no-hitter, I'm going to take it, and in that situation the pitcher should be upset with his manager for calling a shift, not the other team.

 

In regards to bigredrobbo's 3 points. I also have never heard of # 1 being a thing. I definitely agree with #3. However, #2, there are some things that would be very cringy to me when you are ahead by a lot late in the game like stealing and bunting for example (with the exception of bunting against the shift, to me that is always 100% acceptable regardless of the situation).

 

In general, I don't really have an issue with "unwritten" rules. There are unwritten rules in a lot of situations in everyday life that just make common sense. Same in baseball.

[istanbultaye]

Others I can't stand.

 

1. Complaints about teams taking advantage of pitchers tipping their pitch. So I SHOULDN'T use the poker player's "tell" to my advantage to beat him? Got it.

2. Easing off while ahead by a (perceived) large lead. Unless the other side says "no mas" and walks off in submission, play like you would at 0-0. We've seen 6, 7, 8 run leads evaporate over the years, so this imaginary mercy rule is dumb, IMO.

3. Fans booing throws to first to keep a runner close. Wut? This is just dumb.

 

On the occasional ABs where there are doubled the throws to first as there are pitches and the runner isn't even that much of a base stealer... I start wanting to boo too... even when it's a Brewer pitcher... (but I don't, since i'm not a booer)

[BuckyBrewer61]

I wish it would've been to break up a no-hitter. If you put that shift on, laying the bunt down is absolutely appropriate... In any circumstance.

 

Fully agree, and remain amazed more players that get huge shifts aren't working more on laying down bunts or just slapping the ball the other way. Those shifts will go away pretty quickly when the player is batting .750 while racking up doubles for little dribblers down the line.

[chewy522]

Couldn't agree more. In fact, watching players but against shifts is my new favorite play. Reminds me of david nielson who used to bunt for a couple of hits every year. It's smart, team baseball. Get on base and let your teammates drive you in. Being patient and drawing a walk is applauded, why not a bunt?

[FVBrewerFan]

Others I can't stand.

 

1. Complaints about teams taking advantage of pitchers tipping their pitch. So I SHOULDN'T use the poker player's "tell" to my advantage to beat him? Got it..

 

I've seen a couple people now comment on how they never heard of this being a thing. It is, it's just that it doesn't happen often. But yes, you will hear players and coaches complain about how the opposing team shouldn't be taking advantage of a pitcher tipping pitches. Really ridiculous, but true. Same thing when it comes to stealing signs, you'll hear that one more often.

[istanbultaye]

If it's players on the field doing the sign stealing, more power to them. If the organization is hacking into computers and using video cameras from the seating and whatever, that's another story.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I like that Dozier has doubled down on this instead of shutting up or admitting hes a big baby. Hopefully the orioles employ another unwritten rule the next time they play snd put one right in his ribs.

[OnaBadger58]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/twins-completely-overreact-orioles-bunting-beat-shift-one-hitter-225336945.html

 

This is absolutely ridiculous. Get a grip, shut up and play, and don't whine when someone uses their own strategy to counter your strategy. It's not like the guy was even protecting a no-hitter.

 

Disappointing to see this come from a team that isn't the Cardinals.

 

I think this is a brilliant move. Seems like a subliminal message to the Cardinals since Dozier will be a free agent after this season (blue text?).

[homer]

It's the Lance Lynn effect!

[anglotiger]

Great job by Sisco. Laying down bunts like that with the shift on is a guaranteed way to not make an out. More major league players would be wise to figure that out.

 

I'd say that asking Sisco to make an out in that situation so some lazy Twins players can get home 5 minutes earlier would be disrespecting the game. Hats off to the young guy for doing what all hitters should be focused on doing in that situation, not making an out.

 

I fully agree. In fact, I would argue that it was smart for more reasons than have already been mentioned. It's the ninth inning, and you're down by seven. You have two choices - give up and go home (in which case you're cheating the fans) or try to win the game. If you choose to do the latter, you need one thing first and foremost - baserunners. Sisco did exactly what was needed by getting on base and he did it in a perfectly fair and legal way.

 

Why do baserunners bother taking second on "fielders indifference"? Because they still want to win the game and think that it might help their team. This happens all the time and no-one complains. In this case, they left third base unattended and he hit it there. Dozier was just embarrassed and, now that he's made a fool of himself to unbiased fans everywhere, he's too embarrassed to admit it.