April 28, 2006
Mesa Suspended
Jose Mesa earned a four day suspension for hitting Omar Vizquel. It should be more given that it's a personal vendetta. I hope Mesa received a warning that the next time he hits Vizquel the penalty will be much harsher.
Knowing Mesa's history, I would hope the manager never puts him in against Vizquel.
Vizquel's a little punk. He gets to talk sh*t about Mesa without facing any consequences. Mesa tries to redeem himself and gets a four-game suspension.
re: jose mesa
while one has to recognize Mesa's
(1) considerable career accomplishments with Cleveland and the length and durability of his career,
(2) his career renaissance with Pittsburgh and now with Colorado
for a while there, at the tail end of his expensive three year stint with the Phillies, he couldn't hit the plate, let alone a batter on purpose. it really looked like mesa had a bad case of Mitch "Wild Thing Itis" and looked like he was ready for permanent retirement.
watching him pitch the other night against the phillies, one has to note that
(a) he's lost some weight and looks like he's in better condition
(b) he doesn't seem to be laboring as much between pitches
(c) he's more focused on getting the pitches where he wants
and
(d) his attitude is that he owns the plate and if you want to step towards it its at your own risk.
Whereas when he was with the Phils, it seemed like he was chucking up fastballs waisthigh at times and not really locked in on what he was doing at times, thus generating aproximately 10 blown saves a year. His curve ball and off speed stuff were very hittable. If his fastball was off either velocity wise or location wise, fughetaboutit as we say around here in Philly.
--arthur john kyriazis
--phillytown
Ben, frankly if Mesa can not handle his emotions he cannot play the game. Sounds like you are longing for "old school." Next game, if he comes head high at Vizquel the entire team should come out with bats in hand. Mesa is a thug, and it disgusts me to hear people defend him. Violence begets violence, so let's get it over with, i guess.
Ben, frankly if Mesa can not handle his emotions he cannot play the game. Sounds like you are longing for "old school." Next game, if he comes head high at Vizquel the entire team should come out with bats in hand. Mesa is a thug, and it disgusts me to hear people defend him. Violence begets violence, so let's get it over with, i guess.
Ben, frankly if Mesa can not handle his emotions he cannot play the game. Sounds like you are longing for "old school." Next game, if he comes head high at Vizquel the entire team should come out with bats in hand. Mesa is a thug, and it disgusts me to hear people defend him. Violence begets violence, so let's get it over with, i guess.
Abe, at this point, I think Mesa's made his case known. But I think considering the circumstances, MLB could have issued a strident warning. And Vizquel could have issued an apology or something. The bad blood goes back to the 1997 World Series days and Mesa's borne thre brunt of it.