“Kike Hernandez is a huge waste of a roster spot.”
“FAZ has no idea how to build a roster.”
“I have no idea why they would sign Chase Utley – he’s finished.”
“DFA Hatcher and Baez.”
“Chris Taylor is organizational depth. That’s all.”
“Rich Hill has never been anything reliable.”
“Brandon McCarthy is a waste of a roster space.”
“Alex Wood? He’s horrible! “
“Julio Urias is over-rated.”
“The league will catch up to Bellinger.”
“Austin Barnes is not all that.”
“I’d rather have Matt Kemp than Yasmani Grandal.”
Those are all actual quotes from Dodger fans, and it’s about time the morons who wrote them come clean. OK, I have to admit that did say I thought Chase Utley was finished, and how did that work out? Chase has been a big part of the Dodgers resurgence. So, I was a moron too…. It’s OK to be a moron. Just admit it and move on! “I’m a moron – there, you have it on record!”
The Dodgers are now the hottest team in baseball! The Rockies and D-Bags have been playing out of their minds and yet, YET, the Dodgers have passed Arizona and are a mere 1/2 game behind the (soon to be) reeling Rockies. It’s been less than ideal – the Dodgers have been intimate with the disabled list and everything has not went according to plan.
Andrew Toles, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez and Scott Kazmir were all a big part of the Dodger’s plans in 2017 , but to date, they will have missed a large portion of the season and either not played or grossly under-performed. Yet, here we are!
What’s wrong with Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! They are human and will be fine.
As good as the Dodgers have been the last 25 days, I think they can do even better. They miss Toles and Turner, but the depth on this team is incredible. You could see players like Verdugo, Calhoun, Oaks, Thompson and of course, Urias this year. I hear Kazmir is up to 92 MPH. Starters are extremely valuable in today’s market.
Just think, right now, during this hot streak the following players are on the DL or in the Minors:
- Alex Wood
- Brock Stewart
- Kenta Maeda
- Scott Kazmir
- Rob Segedin
- Andre Ethier
- Justin Turner
- Andrew Toles
- Joc Pederson
- Yimi Garcia
Some teams would be devastated if that happened to them… but not this team! Currently, the Dodgers are 10th in hitting at .258, but 4th in OB% at6 .340 and 4th in runs scored at 261 which is over 5 runs a game. The only teams ahead of them are the Nats, Rockies and Astros. When it comes to pitching, they are #1 in ERA and WHIP at 3.21 and 1.16 respectively. Of course, the Giants pitchers go deeper into games – of course, their team ERA is more than a run behind LA. The LA starters are 3rd in ERA and 12th in IP. I’ll take the ERA over the IP any day, especialloy when your bullpen has a 2.67 ERA!
It’s too early to pronounce them “cured” of their poor hitting with RISP, but they are trending the right direction, especially since “The Natural” arrived. He is s winner, likely Rookie of Year and a budding Superstar… and he’s a Dodger! Cody Freaking Bellinger.
These ain’t your father’s Dodgers! The times are a changing, but you’d better jump on the FAZ bandwagon before it leaves you behind.
Discussion (64)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Not only are Dodgers leading the division, they’re leading the league as well. CHEERS!
Mark, I will admit I called Taylor a AAAA player and retracted it a couple of weeks ago. He’s a big leaguer now. We will see if he’s more than a utility player I’ve been calling for him to hit lead-off for some time now. I still wouldn’t allow Hatcher in a game with less than a four run lead. I was one of the few that said McCarthy had value during the offseason. However, I don’t think Kazmir does and I don’t see how he gets a shot to show otherwise. Well, I do see how he could get a shot, but I don’t want to see that many injuries. So, what have you been wrong about this year?
I love seeing the Dodgers beat up on the Cubs and Cardinals. For a Midwest Dodgers fan it is as sweet as beating the Giants. Everyone is contributing right now. Good to see Kike staying on the ball and not pulling off of every pitch from a righty. Some tough lineup decisions coming up when JT returns. Until Joc returns I would go:
Taylor-CF
Forsythe-2B
Seager-SS
Turner-3B
Bellinger-LF
Grandal-C
Gonzalez-1b
Puig-RF
They Dodgers won’t move Seager out of the 2 hole so knowing that they will put Taylor or Forsythe between Grandal and Gonzalez.
Hawkeye,
–
Just to be clear, I never had any idea Taylor would be this good and never predicted anything about him. I dd predict Kike would return to form.
–
On Feb 13, 2017, I wrote this:
–
I have been telling you a few things over the Winter:
–
1. Julio Urias is going to have a breakout year;
2. Yasmani Grandal will come close to 40 HR;
3. Willie Calhoun won’t play 2B due to horrible defense and lack of foot speed;
4. Among Ryu, McCarthy and Kazmir, at least two will be contributors; and
5. Cody Bellinger is ready.
–
Then on April 3, 2017, I posted this:
–
Lucky Thirteen Predictions
1. The Dodgers will have four players in the Top 10 in MVP Voting including Justin Turner (look for over 30 HR), Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw.
2. Joc Pederson and Yasmani Grandal will each hit close to 40 HR.
3. Adrian Gonzalez will continue his downhill slide.
4. Logan Forsythe will have a career year.
5. Clayton Kershaw and the current other Dodger starters will win 60 games between them.
6. Clayton will win another Cy Young, beating out a pitcher who will outhomer him.
7. Julio Urias will have a sub 3.00 ERA and will start the season in Early May.
8. I have no opinion on Yasiel Puig or Andrew Toles, but Cody Bellinger will take over in RF, LF or 1B in the second half of the season.
9. Not everything will go right, but there will not be as many injuries as last year and the Dodgers will win 95 games.
10. Alex Wood and Ross Stripling will prove to be a formidable duo and will pitch nearly 200 innings between them.
11. There will be a shocking trade.
12. Dodgers win the World Series as Three Lefties Dominate the Playoffs – Kershaw, Urias and Hill.
13. Clayton Kershaw will be World Series MVP.
–
Clearly, a lot is to be decided, but it does not seem likely that Grandal and Pederson will hit 40 HR, although Yasmani is having a good year. You can see the mistakes… But, I was right about a number of things… including Cody!
I don’t know where I am on the moron scale but I thought that I would tally them up.
.
I don’t believe I ever said that Kike’ was a waste of a roster space, but I was supportive of Chris Taylor getting the roster spot over Kike’.
.
I was supportive of a DFA for Hatcher. He has a big arm, but leaves too many out over the plate. Today it wasn’t critical, but next game it might be.
.
I was never on a DFA for Baez, but admittedly I have grown to appreciate him more.
.
The league will catch up with Bellinger. He just has to adjust. I have confidence he will (along with some growing pains, like today).
.
As stated above, I thought that Chris Taylor should have made the roster out of ST over Kike’, but I never thought he would develop as well as he has. I still believe he should get the nod over Kike’, but maybe Kike’ isn’t the one that will go. For me, Zach Lee is the gift that keeps on giving.
.
I have consistently and defiantly been supportive Wood/Hill/McCarthy. Not as strident with Ryu or Maeda.
.
I have been and continue to be a huge supporter of FAZ. They are the architect of a solid 40 man roster. This is the new era of baseball. It may not be what we grew up with, or what we may like, but the results speak for themselves…33-20 while leading MLB in DL trips (both real and ???). That puts them on a 101-61 path.
.
There will be changes. Another top of the rotation starting pitcher? High leverage reliever? RH power bat? There is probably another 6 weeks before we should start to get some preview.
Team Dad falls a HR short of the cycle and Dodgers move into 1st place on the road! Bellinger goes 0 for 6 with 4 K’s and it does not matter! Maeda shaky in the 1st and gets PH for in the 4th inning (great call BTW) and it does not matter! Forsythe, Taylor and Utley have multiple hits and the win goes to Morrow. What will this team do tomorrow?
Meanwhile in the minors:
Another teenager doing stuff. Our 6’6″ 18-year-old 3B O’neil Cruz hit his 4th HR of the year for the Loons. Extends on-base streak to 17. #Dodgers
AND
The Dodgers impressive 18-year-old catching prospect Keibert Ruiz also hit a dinger. His 1st HR as a Loon. 4th pro HR. MJ will be happy to note his batting avg up to .304 w/ the HR.
Bluto
I would like better, for you to post the wars of Puig, and Joc, this year, even better.
Because you said Toles did nothing this year, and you only listed his war numbers, but not Joc’s or Puig’s, who you had no problem with!
And I happen to know that Toles had better war numbers then Puig, among other numbers.
And there is no way that Joc is even close to Puig!
And if you looked at one of your fav numbers, neither player, had better OPSs either!
Bluto
And since you mentioned batting average, Toles beats them there, too.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
~
I’ve never said, intimated or implied that I don’t have a problem with Puig or Joc. I’ve called for a new RF and called Pederson “lost.”
~
Do you have me mixed up with someone else?
~
And why in the world is Toles in the discussion!??!?!!? He’s out for the year at least.
Bluto
You just said this, a couple days ago!
You’ve got the wrong guy MJ.
Ruiz is another that had a slow start and has caught fire in May. His BA for the month of May is .354. He has always had the label of solid bat but needing work on defense. But at 18 (2.5 months older than Cruz), he is still learning. With Farmer, Smith, and Ruiz, catching seems to be in good hands.
Oneil Cruz has been getting more and more comfortable at the plate. For the month of May, he has a BA of .290, 3 HR & 14 RBI. He is a mere baby at 18, and is 3.2 years younger than the average player in the Midwest League. His power is rated plus; one of the most projectable power hitters in the organization.
Why not rest Corey against a leftie starter, instead of a rightie.
His headache came when a righty was pitching?
Bum
Like with Harper, when Fernandez, was pitching?
One of three reasons:
1. Corey can’t hit Wacha;
2. Roberts is really stupid; or
3. Maybe Corey tweaked something and needs a rest.
Mark
Spa day!
For those doubters, Joc led the Dodgers in OPS and OBP after the All Star game last year.
.
Joc’s line after the all star game: 260 .380 .520 .900
.
This year he has the highest average exit velocity on the Dodgers and is #11 in the MLB.
Let’s hope he finds the stroke because the Dodgers can only afford to have one outfielder out there for his glove right now. I was hoping for a .280 with 15/20 dingers out of Puig this year, but if he can hit .240-.250 and provide power and defense then they need Gonzo OPSing at .750 and Joc even higher. We can talk exit velocity all we want for Joc, but he’s hitting .200. I can talk bad luck with .BABIP for Puig, but he’s still only hitting .230. It needs to change or Taylor will take an OF spot if he keeps hitting.
Interesting lineup tonight, even with Seager sitting. Should be good for about 4 to 5 runs and a win.
–
Harper gets a 4 game suspension for charging the mound, pretty good trade off for the Giants, Strickland getting 6. He should have stopped at pointing his bat and yelling, up to that point he looked like a bad ass.
–
Not sure why some people dislike Puig so much but it’s getting tiring to belabor the same point endlessly. In theory Joc could platoon with Puig but in actuality neither is hitting lefties this year. Both players have tantalizing talent and tools and frustrating inconsistencies. Both are young and relatively cheap and both could haunt the team if they ‘figure it out’ on another team. I think they could bring back something in a trade but as long as they are Dodgers I will root for them.
Puig still has time to become Mondesi!
To me, Yasiel Puig reminds me of Willie Crawford or Raul Mondesi. I thought Crawford and Mondesi had a ton of ability but just never harnessed it.
Funny, I had that discussion with a buddy last night. I WISH Puig was Mondesi, who never hit below 250, and hit 25hr so many times for us, along with playing gold glove D
Puig hit 19, and then that’s it! He’s a very very poor man’s Mondesi, but I still don’t think he’s a 4th outfielder.
Bobby
Of course not defensively, but right field is an offensive position, so most right fielders, don’t bat eigth.
Dodgers lineup:
–
3B: Logan Forsythe
LF: Cody Bellinger
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
CF: Chris Taylor
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Kenta Maeda
–
Kike Hernandez has 25 hits this year – 19 of them were for extra bases!
Bluto
I am still waiting for those War numbers, from this year.
Interesting article by Rosenthal about Posey being told to stay back , because every single catcher knows to step in front of the hitter and prevent something from really escalating. Either way, Harper had every right to charge the mound for that crap and I’m glad he did
More importantly, let’s win again today!
Bobby
There is a good article in the LA Times today, that talks about Puig’s offense a little, and the title of the article is Dodger’s Mail bag, and it mentions Baustista and Martinez, in the title.
The writer goes on to answer a question about Puig, towards the bottom of the page.
Take a look at the answer to the question, about Puig.
Here’s the question:
–
Hey Andy, at what point does Puig’s lack of offense warrant a change/reduced playing time?
–
Here’s what he said:
–
I’ll put it this way. When Joc Pederson returns from the disabled list, he may need to practice reading balls in right field.
–
I’ve been writing this for a while now: Most of the scouts I talk to see Yasiel Puig as a fourth outfielder. There were 68 outfielders who qualified for the batting title, heading into Tuesday. Puig ranked 48th in on-base plus slugging percentage and 50th in weighted on-base average. His swing remains compromised by mechanical glitches, and his approach has been inconsistent.
–
Puig stopped hitting fastballs in 2016. The problem has gotten worse this year. According to FanGraphs, Puig was worth 9.7 runs below average against fastballs heading into Tuesday. Among the 177 hitters who qualified for the batting title, Puig ranked 176th. That is somewhat astounding, given how Puig once feasted on fastballs.
–
The Dodgers decided to move on from Puig last summer. Before they acquired Josh Reddick, the team informed him that he would either be traded at the Aug. 1 deadline or sent to the minors. No deal came about. Puig went to Oklahoma City, took his penance and came back to hit left-handed pitchers pretty well. In a decision that surprised me, the team decided to install him as the starting right fielder this past spring. Puig has not taken a step forward. He has hit nine home runs, but he’s been brutal against left-handed pitchers, with a .479 OPS.
–
Dave Roberts has built a meritocracy. If you hit, you play. When Pederson comes back, Roberts will have to solve the daily puzzle of how to keep his most productive players in the lineup. Puig has not always been one of them.
I find it funny that Joc Pederson would be a reason to put Puig on the bench. Joc seems to get a pass on everything in my opinion. Puig is a far superior defender than Joc, and Joc doesn’t bring anymore offense to the table than Puig.
Thanks Mark!
My apologies to Dodgerpatch and Bluto whose comments were in moderation. Bluto was because of links (2 or more), but Dodgerpatch may be because of his e-mail address. You may want to try a generic one.
–
It’s not me doing it, it’s the software!
I am happy to see the Dodgers winning and any time that we can beat a team like the Cards (who have been kryptonite) it is even better.
–
Back in 2013 an underachieving Dodgers squad revved up and went 42 – 8 when Puig was called up and Hanley Ramirez was activated from the DL. This year, bringing up Bellinger and playing Taylor seemed to have done it, along with Wood’s resurgence as a starter. As many articles recently have observed, guys like Kike Hernandez and Utley have gotten hot as well, and the ‘pen has been outstanding. It has taken contributions from several guys but they are playing great team ball.
–
I still have concerns. As alluded to by Mark, the starters are pitching fewer innings than ever. All non-Kershaw starters are averaging 5.2 IP/S this season (Kershaw is averaging 7 of course.) Here’s how it breaks down:
Wood – 5.3 IP/S
McCarthy – 5.8 IP/S
Hill – 4.4 IP/S
Ryu – 5.1 IP/S
Maeda – 5.5 IP/S
Urias – 4.7 IP/S
–
League average is 5.6 IP/S
–
Mark erects a straw man and compares the Dodgers to the Giants for team IP/S (the Giants are tied for the team lead at 6.2 IP/S) as if the more innings your starters pitch the worse they pitch. (If that were true then starters should never pitch more than 5 innings I guess – but that obviously doesn’t make any sense.) The other team averaging 6.2 IP/S? The Washington Nationals who incidentally have the best record in the NL. So there is that.
–
I still want to see the Dodgers’ 5 best starters taking the ball every 5 days and giving the team innings. You can’t keep doing this all year long – then ‘pen will ultimately wear out (like last year).
Rick
If you ask me, Kershaw is pitching to many, innings.
… or maybe not if they keep shuffling guys in and out.
Posey is the Giants, if he gets hurt they really would be done. Personally, though I root totally and always for the Dodgers, I respect Posey as a worthy opponent in a long line of SF worthy opponents. Besides I doubt if that big SOB Strickland needed much help in a bout with Bryce Harper.
Since 1958,
Didn’t you see the Giant’s big guys run into each other?
You lose a little coordination with every inch, in height.
Lots of Dodger bits floating around:
~
Fan Graphs chat:
Q: Kevin I hear that Buehler will be limited to around 100 innings this season. What’s a reasonable jump in innings next season? 150?
A: Eric A Longenhagen 150 might be a little aggressive. 130?
~
Q: Guest I believe you were very high on Yadier Alvarez before the season. Why was that and has anything so far this year changed your opinion? Thanks
A: Eric A Longenhagen I was high on him because he throws 95+ with zero effort, he had some breaking ball feel and was throwing strikes consistently by the end of the year. He reported out of shape this year.
~
Q: Chris S Why do i dislike Cody Bellinger’s swing? I am no scout of course but something to me seems hitch-y or there is an additional mechanic my untrained eye is seeing. Not that it matters of course, he is raking.
Eric A Longenhagen Do you hate pleasure and fun? My wife loves Bellinger’s swing. “Swoosh! Swoosh!”
~
Q: liam who you got Eric, Carlos Rincon or Ibandel Isabel, both offensive minded hitters who either hit the ball to the moon or swing through their shoes on a daily basis
A: Eric A Longenhagen Give me RIncon over Isabel.
~
Beyond the Box Score on Grandal’s throwing ability in context with his elite framing
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2017/5/29/15706144/yasmani-grandal-dodgers-throwing-caught-stealing-catcher-defense
~
Baseball America has an updated Mock Draft. Again they cite Bubba Thompson and Evan White as Dodgers’ targets.
~
Finally, Rosenthal talks about Bellinger. His uppercut swing, how he’ll have to adapt as the league adapts to him, and, of course, his “make-up”.
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/dodgers-cody-bellinger-trade-rumors-athletics-gray-cubs-happ-twins-santana-rockies-rangers-braves-ken-rosenthal-053017
I can’t stop laughing when every time I see Shark and Morse run into each other.
Rosenthal is saying Posey not only may have been told by Strickland to stay out of scrum but also by Giants management to stay out off all scrums.
The way Rosenthal spoke of this one I’d have to say there had to be enough pre-event noise that even the umpires knew it was coming. So throw real punches and save the drama for Broadway. Giants are a joke!
Hawkeye
Don’t they look like Dumb, and Dumber, mixed in with Shaun Penn’s character, in Fast times, at Ridgemount High?
Where is that tight in, or the receiver, in Shark,
from his college days?
It so funny. Shark has a history in those type of scrums. I think he was booking in to try to get some and they ran into each other like a couple of professional wrestlers from the 1970’s. I laugh every time I see it.
Hawkeye
They just looked plain dumb.
And with their long hair and with their sunglasses on, they just reminded me of Penn’s character, in that movie.
And that character
Gotta celebrate when ya can otherwise it might be too late. Good for you Mark. The Dodgers have won 4 straight Division Championships and just didn’t get the breaks and luck that makes up for clutchiness to get into the World series several times in the last 4 years. It’s safe to be a little cocky right now. This team can back it up.
.
I admit I worried about losing Kemp’s righty bat when he was traded and did not believe that Kendrick was enough to replace it. I also preferred to keep Kemp and trade Puig but I am well over that now.
.
If it were not for injuries we would not have been treated to Taylor.
.
It will be interesting to see the rotation for the playoffs. There could be trades. There could be guys that were on the DL to begin the year. There will be some that got the Dodgers to the playoffs but used up their 180 innings and won’t be put on the playoff roster.
Harper is a hothead, I will never forget Papelbon choking him out, and what was that helmet throw? In a NASCAR fight those guys hit what they aim for with their helmets! In a real fight Strickland and Papelbon both probably slap Harper around. I’m not sure I would want him, Boras and his $400M contract on the Dodgers even if he does want to play here because it’s close to Las Vegas. Kris Bryant and Joey Gallo, hell the Maddux brothers are more popular in Vegas than Harper, no matter how good he was/is because of his arrogant attitude.
–
Good post Mark, but it is a long season so hard to get too excited too early. It’s also hard to find fault with how the team is playing and being run at all levels of the organization. They are finding ways to win with a different hero every day stepping up. The only thing they have left to prove is winning on the road and yesterday was a good start. I predict Maeda goes a strong 6 today and extend the win streak to a season high 6. Let’s toss in another HR for Bellinger off Wacha just to make some heads explode!
I certainly hope are not excusing Strickland for the intentional ball to the ribs. Even the Giant announcer said Harper did the right thing. And, obviously, Buster felt the same way. And while we are on the subject, Papelbon has a reputation of a bad apple in his own clubhouse.
Makes me appreciate even more what Stripling did when he plunked Stanton. He had Eibner’s back and picked on the biggest baddest hitter in the Miami lineup.
Giants fans used to tout how much team chemistry they have compared with the Dodgers. The script has flipped.
No, not excusing Strickland, it was deliberate but Harper should not have charged the mound and he is not a very good fighter (they can’t all be Nolan Ryan) His helmet toss was a blooper reel and not sure I would want his attitude of entitlement and huge salary on this team they are trying to build. Now Machado we can talk about. I don’t like Papelbon either but I enjoyed him shutting up Harper. He got ran out of DC soon after though, and was never a nice guy or good in the clubhouse.
Remember when Piazza grabbed Mota in a spring training game between innings?
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/latest-plunking-sets-piazza-grabs-dodger-mota-no-punches-thrown-article-1.482550
Vegas
I agree, I expect Maeda to pitch well today, too.
We agree on most things but Papsmear was in the wrong there. I’d take Harper in a heartbeat.
Kershaw has not carried this pitching staff on his back. That was always the criticism: It’s Kershaw and a collection of scrubs. In anything Kershaw has some trouble with his slider this year, and he couldn’t find the plate in his last start. He just hasn’t had his dominating stuff so far this year. Still, the Dodgers have the best staff in baseball….by a lot, and in spite of Romo, and in spite of some sputtering out of the gate by Maeda, Ryu, Hill and a couple of bad games by McCarthy. Kenley has been exceptional as usual, but the team doesn’t seem like it’s been relying on him as much.
Gonzalez is finally showing some life, but he has dropped off a cliff this year. Pederson has been nowhere to be found. Puig can’t get it going, Forsythe has been injured and Turner is on the DL. In spite of all this, the Dodgers are winning. They aren’t winning because of their “core players” or their big signings and high salary players. They’re winning because of their much derided tertiary players.
Good teams happen when all the pieces seem to all come together at the same time. It’s partly luck when this happens. The Cubs are the same team as last year, but the pieces aren’t coming together and they’re treading water. I don’t think the Dodgers quite have all the pieces in place yet. Just imagine if and when this happens.
Lol Well thinking what’s ripe enough for crows to be dieting on has a lot to with how the crow is to the pallet. But it’s also true crow can taste pretty goddamn good when it comes via Dodger victories. Everybody, enjoy dinner. CHEERS!
The big news in the Bay Area is that pretty boy Buster Posey made no attempt to protect his pitcher when Harper went after him yesterday. Some tarnish on the golden, poster child, face of that stinkin’ team. On the subject at hand, different guys are contributing. Utley is amazing. Watching him run around the bases, he looks like he’s 25. From what I have seen around baseball, there are a lot of mediocre pitchers on all the teams. Bullpens reign supreme, and our bullpen is the best in the league. I like the notion that we have a couple of guys who can go 3-4 innings, so that only 2 pitchers are used, rather than 4-5. Best of all, these long guys are starters in waiting. I’m 6-12 on the moron scale, so at .500, I admit to being only a mini moron.
I can’t stop watching the replays of that fight between Bryce Harper and Hunter Strickland. So much to comment on:
– After Harper hit the dinger into McCovey cove, Strickland was like #DontLookAtMeEither
– Buster Posey leaving Strickland to fend for himself as Harper charged the mound
– Michael Morse colliding with Jeff Samarjia – the Giants are the keystone cops LOL
I really have no problem with what Buster did. Strickland took it upon himself to instigate the whole mess. With a “How dare you hit home runs off of me” attitude, he has proved himself to be nothing more than a less-talented MadBum. What a punk.
Why defend a pitcher that is going to make you a target of retaliation? I agree Rudy, it was not like Strickland was retaliating in an effort to protect teammates from being thrown at by an opposing pitcher, he started the fracas.