Nelson Figueroa should consider pitching underhanded to the Nationals, if there is a next time for him. Here it is, girls, go ahead and hit it. "They were cheerleading in the dugout like a bunch of softball girls," the beleaguered Mets right-hander said after getting stomped in a 10-4 loss to the Nationals last night. "If that's what a last-place team needs to do to fire themselves up, so be it. They need to show a little more class and professionalism." Lastings Milledge, the former Met who was vilified for such exuberant behavior during his two seasons here, had another take. "Well, what are we supposed to do?" Milledge said. "We're not going to cater to him or anybody else, so whatever. If you don't like it, you've just got to deal with it." http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...-Nats-'softball-girls'-after-loss?FSO2&ATT=MA
I have mixed emotions on this matter. On one hand, I think Nelson Figueroa should pull his skirt up and stop acting like a little girl. On the another, as a former pitcher Id probably be a little urked if this happened to me. I think as long as the "Cheer-Leading" wasn't so dramatic as to call out anyones name on the other team I dont see a huge problem with it. And if you're Figueroa, dont get hammered by the worst team in baseball and they WONT chatter...
A bunch of them were standing up and chanting and clapping cheers, it was very strange to see. I coach an 8th grade travel girls softball team and I stopped them from doing it, its obnoxious. Figgy looked shocked when they first started doing it. It was a very strange thing to see. I have pitched all my life, I just retired from hardball last year because the fact that my reflexes are slower and those dam aluminum bats make the ball fly off them. But cheering never bothered me, but its not something you see in a major league game. The guys doing the cheering are the same guys that get mad when Reyes does his little dance by the dugout.
Not something you expect from a pro team but if it motivates them and helps them win I have no problem with it. They're not doing anything illegal. If u wanna shut em up get three outs and move on.
Here's my point and I agree with you, but than I don't want to hear these same teams cry when Reyes does all these different handshakes outside the dugout after we score a run.
Yeah Ive played the game my whole life and can see both sides of it as I said. Sometimes I wonder why baseball is the only game where celebrating isn't allowed. If a guy hits a homer he's supposed to act like a robot and just round the bases whereas in football you see guys going crazy for tackling someone after a 3 yrd gain. I realize the tradition of the game but I think there can be some solid middle ground here if the 'Old School' is willing to compromise.
I know what your saying and that doesnt bother me. Players should be able to celebrate after scoring runs. Its the little things sometimes that brings a team together and get things going.
I have no problem with it as a mets fan. A part of sports involves emotion. I think Milledge's take on it is slightly obnoxious as usual, but in essence, hes right. If you dont like the way they cheer then do something to shut them up.
I think Figueroa should avoid giving up so many hits and runs that you'd think he's lobbing it underhanded, and then he can open his mouth.