Comments on: A dissenting opinion on the Cervelli-Johnson collision

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:28:03 +0000

I don’t think it’s that clear that Cervelli blocked the plate. Irrespective of that, you don’t act like a warrior in a ST game. That’s primarily on Maddon.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:46:09 +0000

I know I would not want to be a catcher between Shelley and home.

By: LiveFromNewYork

LiveFromNewYork — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:56:21 +0000

They also pick fights with the RS. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but it seems like they pick fights with the big boys. I think it’s a head game thing.

By: Rob_in_CT

Rob_in_CT — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:55:58 +0000

1. Cervelli did block the plate. I’m all for “don’t do that stuff in Spring Training” and all, but if so then Cervelli shares the blame. He could’ve backed off as easily as the runner could have (that is to say not easily).

2. I hate the whole block the plate/tackle the catcher thing. Not just because of this incident. I held my breath when Texiera (sp?) flattened Jorge in ‘06.

3. So the Rays wanna play fiesty. I hope the Yanks do too. Especially the scrubs (I don’t want a good player hurt in this stupidity).

By: LiveFromNewYork

LiveFromNewYork — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:54:19 +0000

The play was not wrong. Catchers get run over all the time.

It was wrong in spring training and it was wrong that it’s encouraged by this ball club when he could have slid into home.

Girardi was right to blow his lid not just because the Rays seem to be honing a senseless bash ball philosophy (is that a head game?) but because he’s a new manager protecting his players.

I don’t want more of Joe Kumbaya Torre. I want Joe Fire In The Belly Girardi.

And that’s what we got. We all should be going hoo-ah!

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:34:09 +0000

Yanks would be stupid to let Joba retaliate. Why not let Farnsworth do it? It won’t hurt the team when he gets suspended..

By: babe's ghost

babe's ghost — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:17:27 +0000

according to my (selective) memory, the Rays have made a habit of beaning yankees and getting away with it. preumably driven by frustration and resentment at their richer neighbors. so my feeling is that giardi is sending a message, one that needs to be sent. whether we retaliate by drilling crawford during sp or the regular season is immaterial after all baseball is baseball… and yes I do miss roger. if he were out there there’d be no question. unless giardi specifically calls for it, i’m not sure who does the deed. andy is the putative leader, but my money is on Joba. 100mph to the thigh… “er sorry carl, i’m having some trouble with my control.”

By: Hollaforskolla

Hollaforskolla — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:58:38 +0000

and for the record I didnt play varisty when I was in 8th grade…you werent allowed to do that. I just trained with them in Florida.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:56:59 +0000

its not like Johnson used his arms to get under him and throw Cervelli on his back, he basically speared him, stupid play by Johnson. I played baseball my whole life and I never ran a catcher over like that, I’d use my arms and upper body to get under the catcher and push him onto his back but I’ve never just speared the shit out of a catcher.

By: toby k.

toby k. — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:56:06 +0000

Does anyone else notice that this is the only major/minor injury to key Yankees player/prospect during Spring Training? Props to Girardi, Cashman, and the training staff. Looks like a change was needed with the strength training department.