Something has been irking me. It’s not a big thing (it rarely is). And it is certainly something that has been going on since I started watching sports. But for some reason it’s really getting to me. It’s to a point that, whenever I am watching and it happens, I feel the need to tell the person next to me that it irks me and why. Often times I get nothing but blank stares from that person. Maybe that is because it’s just not a big deal. Maybe it’s because, most of the time, I am watching it happen from my couch, and my dog doesn’t really speak English. But I am just about ready to run to the window, rip open the curtains*, and scream, “I AM MAD AS HELL, AND I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!”
*Like I actually have curtains. That probably should have said something like, ‘bend open the cheap metal blinds that came with my apartment.’ Not nearly as dramatic, though.
You ready?
Stop booing when the opposing pitcher throws over to a base to hold a runner on. Just stop it. You all look like fools. I am serious. STOP!!!!
It’s a part of the game. It’s called defense or precautionary strategy. Put yourself in the shoes of the pitcher. You are grossly overpaid because one year you had an ERA under 5.00, and won 11 games. You are desperately trying to make yourself valuable to other teams so that you can get traded away from the terrible club you play for. You are clinging to a one run lead in the 5th when you walk the lead-off guy. You’re telling me that you are cool if he just goes to second?? Of course you’re not. If that guy gets to second with no one out, the only way you are walking off the field in line for the win is if you are playing our beloved Royals.
Even if the guy has only marginal speed (Bloomquist-esque?), he is more than likely going to be safe if he runs. Think about it. Yadier Molina was the starting catcher for the NL in the All Star Game, and he throws out 56% of runners. 44% of runners get to the base safely on him, and he is the best defensive catcher in the game!!! You have to at least keep the guy honest. And God forbid you have some crazy slow-ass pitching motion. Hideo Nomo was so slow he could actually travel back in time from his wind up. He’s the anti-DeLorean. (coincidently, his fastball couldn’t actually get to 88 mph).
No one does this in other sports either. When was the last time you were watching a game from Allen Fieldhouse, and heard the crowd erupt when Mizzou made their awkward white guy guard KU’s awkward white guy on an inbounds pass?
Bottom line is, even here in St. Louis, where everyone claims to be the greatest and most knowledgeable baseball fans in the world, people still boo when the pitcher is holding a runner at first. C’mon people! Work with me!!! Oh, and Royals fans, we just should be cheering that someone was there for the pitcher to hold.