86WARD
09-27-2015, 09:54 PM
http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/09/28/sports/28fight/28fight-master675.jpg
We have a winner for the most ridiculous decision in the major leagues this season, and nothing else is close.
In the bottom of the eighth inning at Nationals Park on Sunday, Washington closer Jonathan Papelbon attacked Bryce Harper in the home dugout. Standing on the dugout stairs above Harper, Papelbon escalated a verbal altercation by lunging at Harper, placing his hand around his neck and slamming him into the wall.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Matt Williams let Papelbon go back out to pitch. That decision should be the final one he makes as Washington’s manager.
The Nationals have been the biggest flop in the majors this season. Widely predicted to win the World Series — including by this reporter (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/baseball/nl-preview-with-rotation-of-aces-nationals-are-ready-to-rise.html) — the team has barely managed a winning record, at 79-76. Upon elimination Saturday night, Williams offered empty platitudes in his postgame news conference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/sports/baseball/bryce-harper-and-jonathan-papelbon-come-to-blows-in-nationals-dugout.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
- - - Updated - - -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhWBiXsWngo
We have a winner for the most ridiculous decision in the major leagues this season, and nothing else is close.
In the bottom of the eighth inning at Nationals Park on Sunday, Washington closer Jonathan Papelbon attacked Bryce Harper in the home dugout. Standing on the dugout stairs above Harper, Papelbon escalated a verbal altercation by lunging at Harper, placing his hand around his neck and slamming him into the wall.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Matt Williams let Papelbon go back out to pitch. That decision should be the final one he makes as Washington’s manager.
The Nationals have been the biggest flop in the majors this season. Widely predicted to win the World Series — including by this reporter (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/baseball/nl-preview-with-rotation-of-aces-nationals-are-ready-to-rise.html) — the team has barely managed a winning record, at 79-76. Upon elimination Saturday night, Williams offered empty platitudes in his postgame news conference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/sports/baseball/bryce-harper-and-jonathan-papelbon-come-to-blows-in-nationals-dugout.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
- - - Updated - - -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhWBiXsWngo