Randy Johnson definitely earned the respect of his teammates in the clubhouse for throwing at Eduardo Perez, or as the players say, "protecting" his players.
It's not something players like to talk about, as throwing at hitters carries a negative connotation, as it should. But throwing at players to make up for something the other team did is one of the old-time baseball unspoken rules that still lives today.
The pitchers that enforce it most definitely are rewarded in the clubhouse.
One minor example come to mind.
In 2004, toward the end of the regular season, Brad Halsey threw at Dave Roberts of the Red Sox in response to something that happened earlier in the game (forgive me for forgetting). He was fined $1,000, chump change for baseball players, except not for a rookie. After the game, several players approached him in the Fenway Park clubhouse and assured him he would not be the one paying the fine.
Don't expect these Yankee players to start a collection to pay whatever fine Johnson receives. But know this. He has their respect for having their backs on the field.
Want a few other examples of clubhouse respect?
Believe it or not, Kevin Brown actually gained the respect of his teammates for taking the ball last summer when the Yankees were out of pitchers, knowing full well he was hurt. This wasn't like the 2004 ALCS when he took the ball without disclosing how hurt he really was. Last year everyone knew and they were thankful for his effort.
How about someone who doesn't have the respect of his teammates?
One guess.
Yup, you guessed it.
Carl Pavano.
Comments (5)
Clubhouse respect is very important to a player because it comes from his peers. It says volumes about a player and his mettle to do well for the team. Jeter, Martinez, Riveria, Posada, Williams, just to name a few. Now maybe we can place The Unit in this group. It took two yeare but one night and one high and tight fastball to an opposing player may have done the trick. He must go out stop blaming the umpires for bad calls and pitch. Get it done yourself. This leads me to A-rod. I sense a general liking for him as a person and fellow big leauger but the clubhouse respect has not been earned. He puts up numbers but right now he's no Scott Brosus who lacked numbers but was big in the field and timly hitting. A-rod is gifted player but he needs to push the envelope. He has to stop worrying about failure for failure comes to those who worry about it. It takes a special player to be a Yankee and have the burden of 26 previous World Series victories. How many guys do Yankee fans put in the category of true Yankee unless you are a winner. Its a tough town with the in your face attitude but the rewards of fan support are priceless.
Carl Pavano needs to start respecting himself before the guys in the clubhouse show any for him.
Randy Johnson earned the respect of his team last night. That's all fine and good. But if he wants to earn the respect of Yankee fans, he needs to "buzz" David Ortiz the next time he faces the Red Sox. Randy no longer can just throw the ball by hitters like Ortiz. Intimidation needs to be another weapon in Randy's arsenal. Both Bob Gibson and Don Drysdale used this "tactic" and it resulted in both becoming World Champions, along with a plaque in Cooperstown.
The topic of respect is interesting to me in sports. I have to agree with Roy. All Yankee pitchers not just Randy have got to buzz batters of all levels to make their pitches more effective. I 'm tired of opposoing pitchers hitting Jeter, Giambi and Posada with impunity. These guys have been lost for games because of injuries sustained when hit by pitches.
Jorge doesn't rile up often so something must have been going back and forth after Jeter got buzzed. Once Jorge got clipped it was just a matter of whether Randy would do it or not. Many pitchers wont but the Yanks need somebody who will. A 6'9" lefty who can still get the gun up to 95 fit just right with me. Maybe this is what the team needed ie Boston's fight with AROD to gel them as a club and respect each other more. It can bring amazing results. I bet AROD turns it on now, he loves this kind of stuff. He fits in so poorly that he rallies around these type of team love ins.