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May 4, 2012Box Score: Indians 6, Rangers 3
May 4, 2012The Cleveland Indians are making very few friends among the AL Central. Currently leading the division, the 2012 Wahoos are showing levels of passion that have drawn the ire of their opponents on multiple occasions. And if anyone wants to say or do anything about it, there are countless teammates waiting in the wings to defend.
While the Browns have been known more for not retaliating while their quarterbacks are being decapitated ad nauseum, and the Cavaliers’ lasting visual of the last two seasons is LeBron James heckling the bench (with nary an act of retribution) during his return to Cleveland, this current crop of Indians are showing chemistry and epitomizing “team” every time they take the field.
Thursday night provided a high-leverage situation. After walking Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko, Indians closer Chris Perez, having been rushed on to the mound after reliever Dan Wheeler decided that the evening needed a little added suspense, struck out veteran catcher AJ Pierzynski and induced a ground out from the bat of overpaid outfielder Alex Rios. Both men represented the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Handshakes were had, but not before Rios and Perez would get into a bit of a verbal spat wherein the umpiring crew would casually walk the game’s final out back to the dugout where he could lament over his team dropping two of three games to a division rival. He would do so while watching the long-haired Tribe closer celebrate the ninth save of the 2012 season, an admitted fiery competitor who gets outwardly excited during moments of jubilation.
For all of Perez’ faults with regard to Twitter following a loss, his enthusiasm during the better times is ten-fold. Following his knee-high third strike slider to Pierzynski, the Indians’ closer provided a lion’s roar and a fist pump. After the ground ball came off of the bat of Rios, Perez followed it as it hopped towards Asdrubal Cabrera — another fist pump — and then through the air as the shortstop flipped the ball over to first baseman Casey Kotchman for the final out. Another passionate yell with prehistoric-like congratulations for his two infielders.
“I don’t know what was wrong with him,” Rios said of Perez following the game. “He just started yelling for no reason. I don’t know why he started yelling. When I hit that ground ball, he was yelling when [Cabrera] was throwing to first. He was yelling the whole way. I couldn’t tell what he was saying. He was just staring and saying something.”
Perez admitted after the game that his enthusiasm was compounded by the fact that the Indians haven’t played well in Chicago as of late; they lost five of nine games in U.S. Cellular field in 2011 and were swept in a weather-shortened series earlier this year, albeit in Cleveland. What Perez did not say, but likely played a role in the added into the closer’s post-game reaction was the fact that Rios had hit a walk-off grand slam earlier in their respective careers.
This incident occurs merely weeks after the Indians and Kansas City Royals had the benches clear multiple times during a weekend series as starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez fired a fastball at the lower back of Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas just moments after Cleveland right fielder Shin-Soo Choo earned his fourth hit-by-pitch of the young season, this time from the hand of Johnathan Sanchez. Choo, who’s season was ended in 2011 after being hit in the wrist by Sanchez, was quickly defended by third baseman Jack Hannahan; Hannhan and Gomez would be ejected following the retribution.
“That’s how baseball is,” Hannahan would say. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be played.”
Though the Indians’ incident with the Royals would occur in the third inning, Perez once again found himself in the middle, tweeting about the big win, adding “P.S. You hit us, we it you. Period.” The closer would be fined for his 140-character blast.
“If [Perez] was celebrating, that was not the right way to do it,” Rios said
The Indians and White Sox square off 13 more times between now and the rest of the 2012 season; the Kansas City Royals will find themselves on the other side of the Cleveland ledger 12 more times. Assuming that the Tribe’s roster can stay healthy, the opposition will find themselves facing a group of passionate guys with some of the best chemistry this region has seen in quite some time.
38 Comments
I don’t know what to think about this. On the one hand, I love to see Cleveland players being passionate about competing and winning. On the other hand, if one of my little league players did what Perez did, I would counsel him afterward to hold his enthusiasm a little bit out of sportsmanship to the other team – and indeed, am irritated when other coaches allow their kids to act like that.
Big difference between Little Leaguers and professionals. Perez does this all the time and most closers do the same. If Rios has a problem with it, don’t give Perez the opportunity and get a base hit. As a wise man once said, “There’s no crying in baseball!!”
Big difference between Little Leaguers and professionals. Perez does this all the time and most closers do the same. If Rios has a problem with it, don’t give Perez the opportunity and get a base hit. As a wise man once said, “There’s no crying in baseball!!”
This team used to rub it in our faces all the time. Sorry I don’t feel bad about it.
This team used to rub it in our faces all the time. Sorry I don’t feel bad about it.
“Big difference between Little Leaguers and professionals.”
True. This isn’t necessarily a good thing, though.
As an Indians fan, I love it. But I can definitely see the other side. Indeed, I have always hated Pierzynski for much the same conduct.
Oh, and Jimmy Dugan was a sage.
“Avoid the clap. Hey! That’s good advice!”
I love when CP pumps his fist and yells. I want to punch Papelbon in the face every time he does it.
Fandom is inherently completely irrational, so I’m 100% OK with my completely contradictory views on this subject.
I agree, although I know he is not there anymore, but who can forget the choking gesture by Guillen.
yeah, can’t really use the phrase “act like a pro” when counseling the kids when the pro’s act that way.
still, a little enthusiasm is a good thing. can’t go overboard with it and maybe Perez crossed the line with this one, but the closer is supposed to be the crazy guy who doesn’t care about anything. that’s Rage.
Maybe CP should have made the “choke” gesture to Rios like Ozzie did to the Tribe. I consider anything that upsets the whitesox good. Detroit as well. I think their closer just walks off the mound without a word, right?
It is interesting/ironic that we cajole our kids to act like professionals and praise our professionals for acting like kids.
Pierzynski is the biggest douchenozzle in the game. Everyone knows it. For Rios to get mad at Perez is funny considering he shares a clubhouse with that toolbag.
There is a way to channel that without yelling at the opponent like a jerk. Standing up for your teammate after a hit by pitch is one thing; setting them up to be hit in the next series is another. I doubt Choo or Hafner or Kipnis privately approve.
Hey Chris, we know your hot streaks don’t last long but try to act like you had no doubt. That’s much more intimidating than the look-at-me stuff.
Perez is an emotional player if you try to curb it you’ll probably end up damaging his psyche. I personally don’t think he’s a mentally tough player which is probably where the antics stem from but that’s just my opinion. As long as the Indians can take it when an opponent does the same then much ado over nothing. We’ve all seen Jose Valverde of the Tigers act out after a save enough.
In general, I have no problem with this action by Perez. But when it’s Alex Rios it seems a bit like tripping a blind kid and then laughing in his face about it.
Yeah I was just gonna say, Pierzynski blew a kiss to the crowd after he homered against us in Cleveland. That guy shows people up all the time, and I dont even think Perez was trying to show Rios up. He was just overly excited about the win.
Was he yelling at Rios or the Tribe’s first base dugout….
Learn to be a professional and have earned the right to act like a kid!
bad simile. after tripping the blind kid, he could hit you with his walking stick. whereas we know that Alex Rios can’t hit anything with a stick in his hands.
apropos of little, want to pay respect to Konerko. Have admired his skill and intensity for years, but last night was a little different. He’s mired in a god-awful ofer-something, but instead of exasperated pitch guessing he’s working counts, shortening his swing and fouling off pitches, fighting to get on any way. He may not be HOF material but this guy has had quite a run of sustained excellence. Reminds me of guys like Albert Belle and Paul O’Neill in that he never seems to give up an at-bat, and in the clutch even if you get him out he still scares the hell out of you.
Hahaha… where is Ed McMahon? Hi-Oh!
Dear MLB, if you have a problem with Chris Perez, don’t let him get you out
Nice to see a little fire and enthusiasm. It actually pisses me off when guys show no emotion. I would much rather see them get mad when they do something bad, or be happy when they do something good, than be robots out there.
true, we weren’t happy when felix hernandez screamed (even tho he did dominate our lineup).. but CP comes with Pure Rage
A couple of thoughts:
(1) the conversation on how to comport oneself with dignity when a closer begins and ends with one dude: Mariano Rivera; and
(2) I love the emotion too, but, c’mon, it was a mid-week game in May — much prefer these sorts of wins become routine . . . and save the emotion for a pennant race.
Exactly – Papelbon and Valverde are the most over-dramatic (albeit awesome) turds in the game and because this was against the Indians, a game they expect to win, Rios gets upset. When an over-achieving squad is playing well, they have every right to yell in celebration.
F- Rios and F – the Whitesucks. The reason these teams are getting pissed is because the Indians weren’t expected to do well this year so the “chosen” teams think the Tribe should just roll- over.
Oh yeah…. All you tribe fans posting comments like hand- wringing, we -shouldn’t- keep score, liberal weenies….if you don’t like competition, winning, or players with back bone….go watch a soccer game!
Garry, this dude’s calling you a liberal weenie! You gonna take that from him?
BTW, this is my favorite comment of the week. Satire like this is hard to find. Nicely done sir!
I hate coaching kids with parents like you. If the pro or the little leaguer doesn’t like it learn to hit the ball or go sit in the corner and suck your thumb. I for one am sick and tired of the participation trophies.
Yeah you liberal weenies!!! Act like a real man does and get on the internet and bash people annonymously from the safety of your basement!!! Thats what Chuck Norris would do!
Whoa! I’ve been called a lot of things, but that . . . that . . . that cuts me to the quick. Of all the . . . why I never . . . I oughtta . . .
That’s nothing compared to what the dude (or lady) below wrote. I’m assuming she was talking to and about me, but couldn’t figure out the “reply” thingy, or . . . she’s just a base internet tough guy/gal coward. Yeah, I’m going with the latter.
You talkin’ to me?? You talkin’ to me???
I love it !! Its about time tribe !m love the swagger !
As a follow up….the tribe have been walked on the past 6 years…seriously…how many times have the white sox hit pronk with a pitch ?? _ts gotten ridiculous. I love what I’m seeing and hearing from the players…..its all heart and passion. Keep it goi tribe !!
I just want to say, this is a GREAT article! It’s awesome to see the Tribe playing with this type of fire, enthusiasm and camaraderie! Far too long, we’ve watched our teams play passive, almost uninterested.
As for CP’s actions, I gotta agree with Jeff D. You HATE to see it when it’s the other guy, but you love it when it’s your own. Let the guys have fun. Honestly, if any parent is encouraging their child to emulate professional athletes as their role models, they’re behind the times. Class acts at the professional level are the exception, not the rule.