They can settle it, amongst themselves, on the field, in about 15 seconds.
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I know they can settle it. After the game.

Anyway, I find it difficult to believe that a threat of a suspension or fine would prevent players from going after each other. I don’t think after his last incident that Jose Offerman would never charge a mound again if the situation didn’t call for it.

What C.C. did during the last series after striking out A-Rod and Duncan was worse than what Joba did during that game, maybe Dellucci should talk to his own teammate first if he has a big problem with it.

I personally don’t have a big problem with it as long as Joba isn’t looking into the opposing dugout, or staring down the guy he just struck out.

There are ways of going about it. If they have issues, and want to settle it, they can.

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Sorry Raf, but I just don’t see it happening that way for most players. They’re more or less a bunch of boys on a playground with the media and the fans jumping up and down behind them yelling “Fight! Fight! Fight!” They can settle it, amongst themselves, on the field, in about 15 seconds. Or a third party can come along and mete out some random “justice”, while the players involved don’t come to any reconciliation whatsoever and either feel vindicated by or even more bitter about the penalties imposed.

Hmm wait a second now…wasn’t everyone blasting the Yankees for being lifeless a few days ago?

Now they show some energy and everyone is blasting them for that?

So which one is it?

Baseball brings together different personalities and cultures and if this is how some of the players show their personality then I am all for it.

Players often can’t respond in the same game (or series) without an automatic ejection and things grow out of proportion as they fester.
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Then respond after the game. Or before the next one. During BP. Take up the issue with the pitcher while he’s shagging flies, or warming up in the pen.

There are ways of going about it. If they have issues, and want to settle it, they can.

For years we had to hear from the media about how soulless and corporate the Yankees were in the Torre era, how they seemed to have no fun. I remember any number of such columns from the odious Selena Roberts and others of her ilk. Now that the Yanks have some young kids who play with natural and youthful exuberance they are also criticized for that. I have seen nothing from Joba and the others that has crossed the line into unsportsmanlike conduct. Let’s not turn Joba into T.O. or worse.

If they want to settle it, they can.

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There’s a long tradition in baseball of settling things on the field that MLB always cuts off midstream with warnings and punishing the retaliators instead of the instigators, which just makes them more ticked off at each other. Players often can’t respond in the same game (or series) without an automatic ejection and things grow out of proportion as they fester.

One time when I was 14, I was pitching and gave up a HR to a kid and he started break dancing as he got to home plate, popping and locking.
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Nowadays, that kid will be called out for unsportsmanlike conduct. He may be ejected at the umpire’s discretion.

In MLB, the situation is exacerbated because the league refuses to let the players settle things and move on.
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MLB is a closed institution. The players have access to each other. If they want to settle it, they can.

I’m with you Steve.

Must every sport be reduced to the lowest common denominator? Joba with a meaningless strikeout, childish.