//Beckett wasn’t looking to make a statement. He was protecting his player. This wasn’t just one inside pitch that Youk dove into.//

You can’t be serious. Youk nearly swung at that pitch. If he went around any further they could’ve called that strike three. Like Steve said, it was just like the Jeter HBP’s. If Wang hit Youk on purpose, then all those times Jeter got hit by Boston pitchers must be on purpose too, right? If he’s going to crowd the plate like Jeter he better get used to getting hit like him too.

Everyone knows Wang did not hit Youkilis intentionally. Give me a break. That would be like me thinking Tim Wakefield hit someone intentionally. That’s not in Wang’s character.

However, I can understand why Beckett felt that he had to hit someone, just because of the fact that it was the same guy that was involved in the Joba incident, but even he can’t possibly think Wang intentionally hit him. But apparently you can’t even throw inside to Youkilis any longer, and it’s OK for him to crowd the plate and basically hang over it, and if he gets hit it’s because it was intentional, and no other explanation will do.

“Wang is not like Beckett. He’s modest. He’s quiet. He’s not looking to make a statement.”

Beckett wasn’t looking to make a statement. He was protecting his player. This wasn’t just one inside pitch that Youk dove into. This was an inside pitch after the previous game where two were thrown at his head. Youk wasn’t diving into the pitch in that game. That’s 3 in 2 games.

If Clemens had done this he’d be getting complimented for protecting his players. No difference here, except Beckett plays for the wrong team.

Peter – thanks for the kind words on the blog.

Do I think Wang hit Youk on purpose? No. I’m 99.99% certain on that. Wang is not like Beckett. He’s modest. He’s quiet. He’s not looking to make a statement. Plus, if you look at the replay, Youk was diving into the plate and that pitch was not that far inside. Blame Youk for that HBP – not Wang.

It’s just like all the times Jeter gets HBP. If you dive into the plate, you’re going to get smacked once in a while.

Hello Steve..this is Peter N on Sunday, too early morning. I wanted to compliment you on your blog and take issue, if I may, with one of your points. Throw Beckett out of the game after the Youklis hit on one of the most sensitive, full of small bones parts of his body? It’s well known, for some reason, that the Yanks and their fans dislike Youk. You don’t think that was a predictable incident? Other than that, the teams have played to a virtual stalemate in this ’07 season yet again. Tonight should be fun. Beckett solidified any hold he has for the Cy Young, too.
Again, great blog…visit mine if you or your readers would like. The URL should be available by clicking my name, or near it. And I’m glad posada is OK. He’s one of the gutsiest players there are, and he’s a good Dad, too. Peter N

All I know is today was a very, very bad day to have to follow the game via Gameday and an assortment of Yankee blogs. Sox fans descended on Yankee message boards like flies on a carcass. In fact, I think at one point, Replacement Level had a roughly 1:1 ratio (or so it seemed).

It really is a strange phenomenon to me why any Red Sox fan would want to come within a thousand yards of a Yankee blog.