Gaby Sanchez And The Clothesline Of Justice...

Nyjer Morgan (not pictured) got everything that he deserved on Wednesday night.

The Washington Nationals speedster instigated and instigated until the Marlins couldn't take it anymore.

And for that I thank him.

To think, on the eve of the Canes first game, I was inspired to write a blog about the Marlins and Washington Nationals.

It was game that, much like MCI's old calling plan, was played in front of friends and family.
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Allow me to quickly lay out the case against Morgan.

His first offense was throwing a baseball into the stands.

He was suspended 7 games by MLB.

Ah, but baseball has an appeals process.

Morgan was allowed to continue to play.

You'd figure being on parole of sorts, he'd be on his best behavior.

Think again.
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So let's break down Morgan's week.

On Saturday in St. Louis, Morgan had a clear path to home plate.

Rather than score, he intentionally took a cheap shot at the catcher, hitting him hard.

Jim Riggleman, in a move that I can only describe as weak, decides to sit out Morgan for the next game.

He was protecting his guy from retaliation.

So you can dish out cheap shots, but not get hit by a pitch?

We flash forward to Tuesday night.

In a godawful game, the Marlins and Nats are scoreless in the 10th.

Morgan makes a break for home with what could be the winning run.

In lieu of sliding in, he TRUCKS Marlins catcher Brett Hayes.

Hayes holds onto the baseball.

The Marlins go on to win, Hayes is done for the year with a shoulder injury.

Rather than making a winning play, Morgan continues his assault on catchers.
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Wednesday night, Riggleman FINALLY decides to let Morgan face the music.

4th Inning, Chris Volstad of the Marlins gently plunks Morgan.

A clear intent pitch, but not hard, not around the face.

It was a pitch that said, we don't like what you did.

Fine.

Should be case closed.

But in a blowout game, Morgan decides to steal 2nd and 3rd.

I can't explain EVERY nuiance of the 'unwritten rules of baseball,' but that's considered a no-no.

It was Morgan's way of SPITTING in the face of the Marlins.
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And so, next at-bat, Volstad throws behind him.

Message sent again, knock it off.

Then, Morgan pretends like he's not going to do anything, and RUNS OUT right at Volstad.

The Palm Beach High Grad doesn't run away, he throws down his glove and is ready to go.

Morgan throws a punch, but Volstad, tall and goofy, is able to dodge the punch as if channelling the Matrix.

And then a hero came along.

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez RAN in from first base and threw a WWF style Clothesline.

It was his most important hit of the season.

He showed that he's the kind of guy you WANT on your team.

He protected his pitcher.

After that, typical baseball fight, plenty of talking and piles.

But it was mean-spirited and passionate, in other words, super-entertaining.
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The bottom line is, this fight had ONE instigator and one instigator only.

Nyjer Morgan is going through something right now.

I'm not quite sure what it is, but he needs to be done for the year.

He's not 'playing hard' or the 'right way,' he's out of control and is injuring people.

As bad as I feel for Hayes about his shoulder injury, I'm emboldened by the actions of Gaby Sanchez.

When the stuff hit the fan, he showed himself to be a true teammate.

Nyjer Morgan, I hope before you hit the ground, you were taking notes.