WHO'S THE TOUGH GUY? MARK TEIXEIRA OR VICENTE PADILLA?

Vicente Padilla has been hitting batters for years.  That’s his “thing”…everyone knows it, including Major League Baseball, yet, he doesn’t get punished for it as much as he should. But yeah, the pattern is simple;  If Padilla is tagged for a homer run or a big base hit, there is no question the next time that batter comes to the plate, that hitter’s taking one on the chin.  Now, while I have stated numerous times my thoughts on what "real" baseball is. I have no problem with hitting a batter or at least brushing them back. It's part of the game. But if your a predictable pitcher who intentionally throws at guys for hitting well against you...that's NOT baseball.  That my friends is bad sportsmanship. 

Look, Mark Teixeira did something manly the other day. He called out Vicente Padilla because he had enough.  Good for him.  Tex is no woman, he’s a man for what he did.  He knew calling out Padilla would mean he’d have a bulls eye on his back, and guess what?  He doesn’t care, he did it for his team and he did it to send a message…"You’re on the radar Vicente, we're watching you closely."

Now let’s break it down.  Padilla and Teixeira have a feud going back several years.  They clearly don’t like each other and Tex has stated that Padilla doesn’t have any friends in the game because he hits guys. Read HERE.  Tex went further and believed that he and Michael Young (all were teammates in Texas) got the brunt of Padilla’s headhunting because opposing pitchers would come after them.

Padilla then went on NESN and not only accused Teixeira of picking the wrong profession and suggested he should compete in a "women’s sport", but he also accused Tex of violence toward him and the biggest charge, prejudice against Latin players. Read HERE. Here's the quote:

 “The problem is he talks about all the wrong things that others have done, but the things he’s done — against the Latinos [on the Rangers] — he doesn’t open his mouth about... He once threatened me and said he was going to hit me with a bat, and that’s when we were playing on the same team. And then, he also had problems with Frank Francisco. ... But he doesn’t talk about that, does he? Then, of course, he goes on and makes those comments about me.”

Tex called it comedy.  I tell you what, I do too.

Let’s call this what it is…silly.  Vicente Padilla is not Nolan Ryan, nor will he ever be.  He’s a middle of the road pitcher with an OK career and he utilized the “high and tight” to intimidate and payback batters because he’s overcompensating for his inconsistency and lack of talent. He’s been doing it forever.  Do I sound harsh? Does it sound like I’m protecting our guy? Sure I am. Padilla is now making charges of racism…that’s a pretty serious offense. 

Look as far as Vicente goes, let’s call it what it is; his career is pretty much over.  The best season he's ever had was 2002 with the Phillies when you had a 14-11 record and a 3.28 ERA. In fact, AJ Burnett has a better career record (131-113) and ERA (4.09) than Padilla (106-90, 4.30) and the Yankees shipped him off to Pittsburgh.  The point is Padilla is lucky that even the Red Sox took a chance on him. I’ve watched Mark Teixeira’s career since Texas.  He’s a hard worker, a fierce competitor and a team player, not to mention a great hitter and amazing defender.  I’ve never heard the guy speak out of turn, nor have I ever heard a bad word spoken about the guy in all the years he’s been there.  So you know what I think about Padilla's charge of racism? It’s bullshit…because this is the first time I’ve ever heard anything like it when it comes to Mark Teixeira.  Face it, Padilla is just pissed that he's getting called out so publicly.

So message to Padilla, we play him and the Sox in 3 weeks. If he makes a stupid move and tries to headhunt Mark Teixeira or any of the other Yankees, the writing will be on the wall and the Yankees will and must retaliate.  Because one thing that’s true about my Yankees... our guys actually back each other up, not themselves. 

Damn, reading that NESN interview it seemed like Padilla was upset...almost like he was going to breakdown like a "woman" and cry about it.  Ironic... isn’t it?

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