By Ken Reed
The Colorado Rockies Troy Tulowitzki got plunked in the leg during a recent spring training game. There appears to be very little doubt that it was done intentionally. Tulowitzki has missed several spring training games due to bruising and swelling from the incident.
Tulowitzki was hit after Rockies minor leaguer Tommy Kahnle hit Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Mark Trumbo in the back with a runner on first base. Asked whether he thought Miley meant to hit him, Tulowitzki refused to comment. A disappointed Rockies manager Walt Weiss said, “You never want to see one of your guys hit.”
It appears that the Diamondbacks, after a couple mediocre seasons, are trying to establish a tougher image this season.
Kevin Towers, Arizona’s general manager, said in the offseason that he wants his pitchers to target more batters this season. “I think come spring training, it will be duly noted that it’s going to be an eye for an eye and we’re going to protect one another,” Towers told MLB.com. “If not, if you have options, there’s ways to get you out of here, and if you don’t follow suit or you don’t feel comfortable doing it, you probably don’t belong in a Diamondbacks uniform.”
There’s no place for this type of Neanderthal mentality in sports, including at the professional level. It’s the antithesis of sportsmanship. It reflects poorly on the sport and everyone involved.
Towers, and those of a similar mindset, need to start taking the high road on these matters.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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