Did Orioles Pitcher Mike Gonzalez Hit Chris Dickerson On Purpose?

There has been a lot of talk today about whether Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez hit Chris Dickerson of the Yankees on purpose last night during the Yanks' 4-1 win in 15 innings.

All of this talk is nonsense.

No one purposely hits a guy in the head.

I know that bean balls are a part of the game.  It’s been that way for years.  But you never, ever hit someone in the head.  That’s just evil and violates not only every baseball code but every code as a human being.

That could kill someone!

If you’re intentionally going to hit somebody, it’s usually in the arm, the back or the leg.  It’s never in the head.  That’s just stupid.

The situation also didn't warrant anyone getting hit during this game.

There was nothing earlier in the game that would provoke Gonzalez to want to hit anyone.  Why? Because Cano got a 2-run double?  That’s a cause for hitting someone?  No way!

Not only that - but don't you think that if the Orioles would want to hit someone, they would have went after Alex Rodriguez or Mark Teixeira?  Those guys have a name.  They wouldn't have beamed some minor league call-up that's been on the Yanks for less than 24 hours.

Gonzalez wasn’t throwing at Dickerson.  I don't like Gonzalez and I'm not defending him because I want him cut from the team.  He’s awful and has been all year.

But what you have to realize is that the Yanks only had a 2 run lead in a game where their rookie pitcher (Noesi) was running out of steam.

Not only that, but Gonzalez was the last pitcher left in the Orioles bullpen.  If he got tossed, he knew they had no one left.  Orioles manager Buck Showalter had to bring in today’s starter (Jeremy Guthrie) to finish out the game.  A manager, the catcher and the pitcher all know that.

Have you thought that Mike Gonzalez is a wild pitcher to begin with?

He’s completely erratic and can’t throw strikes.  He's pitched 12 innings this season, given up 12 runs and walked 5.  His ERA is 8.53 and opponents are hitting .357 against him.

Back on Tuesday, I told our Marketing Director, Selena, that if Gonzalez pitched in the Yankees series and didn’t give up a run, I would walk into her office, hand her a $5 bill and walk out.

It wasn’t a bet.  I was just going to hand her money.  That’s shows the lack of confidence I have in Gonzalez.  Needless to say, I didn't have to give Selena any money today - but I wish I actually had to.