Greg Maddux said "It slipped." We say, "Whatever."
After Walt Weiss was hit twice in the Braves/Devil Rays game on July 18th,
Greg Maddux decided it was time to retaliate. Noone knows why exactly, but
he did. Maddux drilled Jose Canseco in the side with a fastball in the 8th
inning of a 9-2 ball game in Tampa Bay. Canseco laughed as he was walking
to first base probably wondering the same thing most people
were. Why? Does Maddux (the great student of the game) not know that the
Devil Rays pitching staff is terrible (I'm being kind there) and they lead
the major leagues in hit batsmen? They are bad pitchers with no control.
Simple. Also, the fact that it was Walt Weiss should give you a clue it
wasn't on purpose. Why would they hit a guy they know they can get out?
If they hit Larry Wayne Jones or Andres Galarraga with pitches, that's another
thing. But Walt Weiss? Of course Maddux said "I was trying to come
in on him and it slipped," which we all know is a load of crap. This
sudden lack of command is coming from a pitcher who periodically is among
the leaders in fewest walks/9 innings. Not to mention that he cries and
yells after every pitch that misses the plate by what he thinks is just
inches (when in fact many can be measured in feet) is called a ball. Now
Greg, there are times and places to retaliate on the mound, but a 9-2 game
against Tampa Bay is not one of them. You're a great pitcher (especially
when you are at home with that big catcher's box), so don't do stupid stuff
to take away from that. Just take the mound and enjoy the 6 inches you get
on each corner night in and night out.