Billy Wagner Has No Bones About Beaning a College Kid
Grapefruit League exhibition against a college team or no, Billy Wagner doesn't mind uncorking a beanball if someone dares cross him. With the Mets facing Michigan today, Wolverines centerfielder Kevin Cislo tried to drop a bunt on a Wagner pitch, but it went foul. How'd the aging closer react? Very, very calmly of course.
Wagner, clearly annoyed, shook his head a number of times, and Cislo wisely swung away, grounding out. Wagner said he couldn't believe that Cislo, a junior, bunted.
"If he got that bunt down, I would have drilled the next guy," Wagner said. "Play to win against Villanova."
Come on, Cislo! Don't let Wagner tell you how to play your game.
Villanova?
>>Bunt attempt by Michigan player irks Mets' Wagner [Newsday]
this could make for some interesting sinage at cbp this year
Posted by: erk | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Jesus, shut the hell up already Wagner. No one gives a crap what you think. It's a college kid trying to play the game the way he was taught to play it. You were a kid playing the game once too. Get over yourself. You're an overrated pitcher from Texas who hasn't had a good year since you served up a 3-run jack to Craig Biggio in 2005 (thanks again for that).
Have fun throwing more fastballs into Pat Burrell's wheelhouse and whining about it afterwards.
Billy Wagner=waste of human flesh.
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 06:58 PM
the mets, wagner especially, are so hung up on philadelphia. i love it.
at what age do you become too old to go by billy?
Posted by: will | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I never played baseball above the little league level so forgive my ignorance of the finer points of baseball etiquette, but why would a bunt in this situation warrant beaning the next batter?
Posted by: VSTDude | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:20 PM
vstdude:
because billy doesn't feel like fielding a bunt in spring training. too bad cislo's swing path isn't the same as burrell's.
Posted by: will | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:26 PM
@VSTdude: With one out, the bunt would be sac to get the runner on second over to third, and would be fine if it were a regular close game. In this exhibition game, Wagner was pissed that the guy wasn't just trying to get some practice against big league pitching.
In a regular big league game, if a batter did the same, and his team was up say 10 runs (ie, it had no bearing on the outcome), he might get beaned.
Posted by: Matt P. | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Actually, will's answer is more accurate. Ignore mine.
Posted by: Matt P. | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:28 PM
"Don't trust anyone under 30" - Billy Wagner
Posted by: typhoon | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 07:38 PM
I'm looking forward to many more Billy Wagner meltdowns this season.
Posted by: Joe Manning | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 08:00 PM
My guess is that Farmer Bill was referring to this recent event.
Posted by: Chamomiles Davis | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Maybe the kid is trying to practice his bunting against a major league asshole. Jesus Christ. Do we actually have to wait for the season to begin befor ewe get the brawlin started?
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 09:05 PM
P.S. If the box score from the Villanova-Michigan series is an accurate indication, Cislo's a pretty damned good hitter.
Posted by: Chamomiles Davis | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 09:08 PM
i'm so glad this douche is no longer a phil.
Posted by: rosco | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Really you're glad Bill Wags isn't a Phillie? That's just ridiculous. He's an ass but I really wish we had him.
Posted by: krub | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Simply put, Wagner is a self-centered jerk. He has a point, but the point is lost when he starts acting like a baby about the incident. It's a game, and even if it is exhibition, everybody should be trying their best to ultimately win. If Billy is worried about fielding the ball (probably so he doesn't get hurt), then he should just let it roll for a single since the game clearly didn't matter to him anyway. To threaten some kids over a bunt is just idiotic.
Posted by: Kulp | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Wait, where exactly is Pat Burrell's wheelhouse?
Posted by: Lenny | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Add me to the list of people who are glad Billy Big Mouth isn't a Phillie. Yes, he's an ass--but he's also an ass with a history of big time chokage. That not something the Phillies need.
Posted by: Lynn | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11:03 PM
yeah, because i'd rather have brad lidge or some other schlub closing games then wagner......morons
Posted by: lol | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:29 AM
flash gordon....HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA
i'd much rather have flash gordon than wags..........
Posted by: hahahahah | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I love when Mets fans grace us with their brilliance.
Posted by: enrico | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:40 AM
mets don't realize that wagner cost them the division last year? i mean if he doesn't routinely throw the ball into the single path of burrell's swing on a consistent basis then the mets don't complete the greatest choke in mlb history.
Posted by: will | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Was Wagner reluctant to field that bunt because of the fear that he might throw out his back or trip over his walker?
Be a man and deal with it.
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Maybe he got caught in the guys 'one-path swing' like Burrell
Posted by: afr0 | Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 05:55 PM