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March 12, 2008
The Brawl Game In St. Pete Today
Via Mark Feinsand:
Heath Phillips, starting in place of an injured Andy Pettitte, was ejected with two outs in the first after brushing Rays third baseman Evan Longoria across the chest with a pitch.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi argued the ejection, but home plate umpire Chad Fairchild stood by his decision.
Shelley Duncan led off the top of the second with a base hit to left field, which he tried to stretch into a double. With the throw beating him easily to second, Duncan came sliding hard into second baseman Akinori Iwamura, leading with his spikes.
Second-base ump Charlie Reliford immediately ejected Duncan, who had made some thinly veiled comments a few days ago about ratcheting up the intensity of the spring games against the Rays after watching Tampa Bay infielder Elliot Johnson bowl over Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli last weekend, fracturing Cervelli’s wrist.
With Duncan still on the ground following his hard slide, Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes sprinted in and jumped on Duncan, prompting both benches to clear. The two teams tangled around second base for a few minutes, though it didn’t appear any punches were thrown.
Duncan and Gomes were ejected, as were Yankees third-base coach Bobby Meacham and hitting coach Kevin Long.
Remember Rico Bergman? I think we need to start calling Shelley Duncan "Kong Hustle" going forward - because he's built like Dave "Kong" Kingman and plays like Pete "Charlie Hustle" Rose.
You don't want to mess with one of Kong Hustle's homies, because, if you do, you will answer to Kong Hustle, it appears.
Posted by WW Staff at March 12, 2008 02:25 PM
Comments
Jonny Gomes isn't a small dude either...
Anyway, hopefully this nonsense is over. If Cervelli doesn't want to risk injury, I suggest he either doesn't block the plate, or find another position that doesn't require as much contact.
Posted by: Raf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 12, 2008 03:05 PM
Raf, the runner was clearly gunning for him. a slide gets him in there rather easily. Tampa's 2nd time this spring. regular season, fine, ST, not so fine.
Posted by: Travis G. at March 12, 2008 03:42 PM
If Cervelli doesn't want to risk injury, I suggest he either doesn't block the plate, or find another position that doesn't require as much contact.
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Raf, did Cervelli make any statements about the collision with the D-Rays guy? I think Shelley and Girardi were the only two guys that made statements after that game.
Posted by: MJ at March 12, 2008 03:43 PM
Per usual, Yanks' players received ejections as opposed to the customary warning (unless warnings were issued prior to the game, which is nonsense as well).
Posted by: brockdc at March 12, 2008 04:13 PM
The photo of Duncan's slide is pretty damning. You cannot go in spikes up like that. Also, Duncan either has huge freakin' feet or Iwamura is tiny.
Posted by: Mike at March 12, 2008 04:34 PM
Raf, did Cervelli make any statements about the collision with the D-Rays guy? I think Shelley and Girardi were the only two guys that made statements after that game.
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Yes, you're right
Posted by: Raf at March 12, 2008 04:35 PM
Good photo. I'd hang it in Joe Maddon's office. Let him think about whether his "philosophical difference" with Giardi over how he wants his kids to play the game during ST is worth his starting 2B.
Posted by: yankees76 at March 12, 2008 04:38 PM
I'm totally not surprised by this brawl. I'm sure Joe didnt specifically ask for this to happen but he is sure making the Yankees fight and scrap. "The world is against us" attitude can prove to be a good mental strategy even when you have a half a team of All-stars.
Posted by: Straylightrise at March 12, 2008 06:59 PM