harmony

Because Mookie Betts was out by the hyperbolic mile, the Tampa Bay infielder had time to get out of the way by stepping back and away from the base. Nevertheless, Betts went to the side and past the bag to upend the second baseman with a near cross-body block.

As I've written: "A hypothetical jury could determine that Tyler Austin and Joe Kelly acted with intent." The second issue is whether Tyler Austin's intent was to break up a double play, to harm Brock Holt, or both. I'll again provide links to videos of Austin's slide and a Mookie Betts slide from 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uFpLiDNzQ The slides can be distinguished by several factors: 1. to his credit Betts' spikes were not up while Austin's spikes were 2. Betts was out at second base by at least eight feet while Austin's play was much closer* 3. the target of the Betts slide was attempting a double play while Holt made no attempt at a double play* 4. despite his extended left leg, Austin's butt went directly over second while Betts' butt pretty missed the bag as he took the side where the infielder was making the relay 5. Betts was completely past the bag when he made contact with the infielder while Austin was on the bag when contact happened 6. at the points of contact Betts' left leg was higher than Austin's left leg 7. Betts' contact went for the knees of the infielder, who was knocked over (at :55), while Austin's foot made contact with Holt's moving lower leg ... or vice versa, or both (at :31). Nevertheless, the TV announcer called the Betts slide "a good, clean, hard slide.":rolleyes: * some have questioned whether Austin should have known that Holt would not be making a relay for a double play. After the game Boston manager Alex Cora praised third baseman Rafael Devers for eschewing the easy out at first base and instead opting for the tougher play of getting the lead runner at second base. From Austin's perspective with his back to first base, the Devers throw to second base perhaps suggested an attempted double play that deserved a hard slide.

Tyler Austin's foot was pretty much on the ground when Brock Holt's foot made contact and lifted Austin's foot up and even more away from the base. At :31: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uFpLiDNzQ However, Austin's spikes were up. Mookie Betts' spikes were not up on this slide: ... but the slide possibly violated more than one provision of the current rule (which was not in place when Betts made his slide in 2015): http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/slide-rule

Did I pick the wrong day to have Alex Cobb in my fantasy lineup?

Another fact: The Red Sox are in third place in the American League in relief pitching fWAR: https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=al&qual=0&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=18,d

I agree that a hitter assumes some risk when he steps into the batter's just as an infielder (or catcher) assumes some risk of an incoming runner. The pitcher's job is to throw in the general direction of the batter just as the runner's job is to advance to the next base. A runner's contact with an infielder "falls squarely within the category of things that may happen at a baseball game, intentionally or not." The issue may come down to intent. Juries every day are asked to distinguish intent from recklessness in deciding whether a homicide was murder or manslaughter. A hypothetical jury could determine that Tyler Austin and Joe Kelly acted with intent but the evidence against the latter appears more obvious. The posters on this forum are lauding Kelly for his intentional conduct, not his reckless conduct. I concur that Austin deserves the stiffer suspension for charging the mound and throwing punches.

Brock Holt's so-called "plant leg" (which would not have been his pivot foot on a throw) was higher off the ground than Tyler Austin's incoming foot when contact was made at :48: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uFpLiDNzQ Austin's foot made contact with a moving object ... or vice versa. Again, the MLB rule: http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/slide-rule ... and another hard slide: Different interpretations may produce different results.

Anything can be measured ... the question is the predictive relevance. My younger daughter's university this week announced a new major in data science, which "combines cognitive science, computer science and engineering, and mathematics to train students in predictive modeling, data analysis and computational techniques." The goal is to prepare "students for a career in the data-centric society." Big Data apparently is here to stay, whether it's Cambridge Analytica harvesting our personal data or MLB front offices trying to gain an edge (I recommend Big Data Baseball: Math, Miracles, and the End of a 20-Year Losing Streak by Travis Sawchik and The Extra 2%: How Wall Street Strategies Took a Major League Baseball Team from Worst to First by Jonah Keri.).

The chances that an errant pitch will cause serious injury increase when a pitcher deliberately throws at a batter instead of at the plate. Joe Kelly is not known for his pinpoint control.

Just ask the family of Tony Conigliaro.

At least Tyler Austin's butt went directly over second base, unlike Mookie Betts' butt when Betts broke up a double play (and forced an error) with a hard slide after being out by two strides (unlike Austin): MLB Gameday: Red Sox 1, Rays 0 Final Score (04/21/2015) | MLB.com WWW.MLB.COM Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Red Sox vs. Rays at Tropicana Field At :48 of the recap or :54 of Hanigan scores on an error.

To be precise, Tyler Austin's lead foot and Brock Holt's non-pivot, non-planted foot made contact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uFpLiDNzQ

Brock Holt called it a bad slide, but afterward said: "I probably said something I shouldn’t have to start the whole thing, so I’m sorry for that." http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/04/12/here-what-key-figures-red-sox-yankees-brawl-had-say/KajPcW2Q26k0E5iUoFG2pJ/story.html?et_rid=1739401789&s_campaign=108stitches:newsletter

Yep.

Joe Kelly "charged" Tyler Austin with a 97.7 mph fastball. Austin charged the mound without a weapon. In my jurisdiction a baseball could be considered a deadly weapon as used.

Thanks ... I'm sure I would enjoy your company as well. Nevertheless, I remain somewhat literate: http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/slide-rule https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uFpLiDNzQ

I never played baseball beyond Little League and frequently endure the condescension of those who did.

You have been and will continue to be a valued contributor to this forum. This place would be boring if we all shared the same opinions.

I consider Joe Kelly's plunking of Tyler Austin to be vigilante justice. The MLB office may have examined Austin's slide more closely if the brawl had been avoided.

Indeed. According to MLB.com, "Austin has received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for charging the mound and fighting." MLB suspends Joe Kelly, Tyler Austin WWW.MLB.COM BOSTON -- Major League Baseball wasted no time issuing discipline from Wednesday's Red Sox-Yankees melee, handing a six-game suspension to Boston righty Joe Kelly and a five-game suspension to New York infielder Christopher Austin.Both players have appealed their suspensions, meaning they are available for Thursday's rubber match of the three-game No mention of the slide, although more information might be forthcoming.

Now that's insulting.

A five-game suspension for a position player who has appeared in 10 games is harsher than a six-game suspension for a reliever who has appeared in five games. From what I've read so far, Tyler Austin was disciplined for charging the mound and fighting, not for his slide. But I may not have all the information.

A six-game suspension for a reliever who has appeared in only five games is less than a five-game suspension for a position player who has appeared in 10 games.

Yes, but is it legal? Apparently not: MLB suspends Joe Kelly, Tyler Austin WWW.MLB.COM BOSTON -- Major League Baseball wasted no time issuing discipline from Wednesday's Red Sox-Yankees melee, handing a six-game suspension to Boston righty Joe Kelly and a five-game suspension to New York infielder Christopher Austin.Both players have appealed their suspensions, meaning they are available for Thursday's rubber match of the three-game

And how does a pitcher retaliate cleanly and legally by intentionally plunking a batter?