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BP Daily Podcast: Effectively Wild Episode 660: The Weekend-Long A’s-Royals Rumble

and
April 20, 2015

Ben and Sam banter about Alex Rodriguez and discuss the three-day dispute about unwritten rules between the A's and the Royals.

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Pernellius
4/20
I agree with much of your podcast up until the Kazmir HBP on Cain. I believe there was intent; Cain is a speed player and the Royals #3 hitter, and throwing at his legs makes sense. Kazmir had perfect control the rest of the game, I don't buy it. Herrera's actions logically follow from this conclusion, but he could have also hit a leg or low on the body to reduce the danger. There was also no discussion of how the Royals had already lost Rios to the DL because of a HBP. Thanks for the discussion!
Reply to Pernellius
BillJohnson
4/20
I tend to agree (note that I have no particular rooting interest for/against either of these teams). There seems to be conventional wisdom out there to the effect that a HBP on an off-speed pitch is never intentional ("come on, he's not gonna throw a changeup<" says Sam), which exonerates Kazmir. I don't buy this. There have been altogether too many "slips" in recent years on breaking stuff in these semi-retaliation situations that wind up slipping into a hitter's foot, or higher.
Reply to BillJohnson
Pernellius
4/20
I also noticed that you guys either were unaware or omitted Josh Reddick's comments prior to Sunday's game to the effect of "this is not over", casting further aspersion on Kazmir's HBP.

Sam Mellinger, one of the Royals beat writers, theorizes that the Royals are being targeted precisely because of the energy and spirit that made them the likeable team you guys saw in October. (His remarks here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article18887139.html)
Reply to Pernellius
lyricalkiller
4/20
Unaware! Will banter about Reddick's contribution tonight.
Reply to lyricalkiller
Pernellius
4/20
From Susan Slusser, "There’s no need for a season to be ruined between two teams that have something so small that happened, that’s obviously not going to be forgotten when they come to our place,” Reddick said. “You never know what’s going to happen or if we’re going to retaliate when they come to our place."

http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2015/04/18/more-from-oakland-as-brett-lawrie-josh-reddick/
Reply to Pernellius
jgrout
4/20
There's a difference between "energy and speed" and arrogantly
showing up one's opponents. The Royals are clearly on the
wrong side of that line. [Disclaimer: I'm an A's fan.]
Reply to jgrout
Pernellius
4/21
http://www.geeksandcleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/jarrod-dyson.png
Reply to Pernellius