Harper stuck it to Hamels the best way possible.

That should have been the final word.

Don’t swing at a 3-0 pitch with a huge lead – don’t steal with a huge lead., don’t bunt.
Don’t step on the pitchers mound when crossing back to the dugout (See: A-rod being an a-hole to Dallas Braden)

I know the posing for a HR becomes something that’s borderline. I think it was Weaver who got pissed at Guillen not too long ago.

I’ll give you that Hamels isn’t really old school, at all. But the act was, in my mind. Do you happen to agree with Rizzo or do you think he overreacted?

I think it had more to do with the Phils unravelling as they were getting exposed as old news, and trying to stagger off the mat to throw a punch back at the young upstarts. Living on reputation in a sense, and trying to remind the kid who they were dealing with (so more to do with the nats then Harper).

Unwritten rules? Easier to change when they aren’t written down I guess.

stealing with a big lead? trying to score more with a big lead? But these days, what lead is big enough to stop playing the game with?

Oh and of course, don’t bunt to break up a no hitter.

Mostly just a bunch of old guys sitting around talking about how they did things in their day, when guys played the game the “right way”.

Also, none of those guys threw at a batter just because.

I think there are certain courtesies and such that players may extend, but what are the unwritten rules?

Stealing signs? Nope, there are players who have no problem with the runner on second reading the catcher. That’s why batteries use different methods.

Admiring a home run? I’ve heard a lot of guys say this is wrong (I tend to agree), but some dudes look like they are posing for an oil painting and nothing happens.

How about this for an unwritten rule? Pretty boys from SoCal who pitch 6 innings every 5th day don’t get to talk about being old school.

though I think that was there already, with the whole skipping HS (GED?) deal or whatever exactly he did to get to the draft sooner.

But, most likely the swagger (attitude, whatever you want to call it) will resurface as long as he is backing it up on the field.

Would you agree with me that there are unwritten rules, though? Or do you think Schilling is about right?

On the other hand, the Commissioner’s office can’t let these situations get out of hand. Take a look at a composite team of guys hit by pitchers. Roy Campanella (skull concussion) at catcher. Around the infield — Jackie Robinson (fractured batting helmet) at first base; Cass Michaels (fractured skull) at second; Pee Wee Reese (concussion) at short; Pete Reiser (concussion) at third. Joe Medwick (fractured skull), Hank Leiber (concussion) and Carl Furillo (six beanings, various effects) make up the outfield. Then there is the inspiring but sad story of Don Zimmer and the killing of Ray Chapman.

He also went on to say that the unwritten rules and “old school baseball” are mainly a tool for reporters who just need to find support for whatever point they are trying to make. According to him, you can’t find 2 people who even agree on the unwritten rules. What is an offence to one guy is just part of the game to another.

Looks like there is a reason they are “unwritten”.

I don’t have sound on my home computer, can you summarize what Schilling said?

At the very least, I know that Bench agrees with the ideology behind it. I think the HBP was an attempt to let him know that the MLB is aware of the type of person he has been painted to be, and if he gets any ideas, he should kill them early.

I do agree that he’s kept his mouth shut since being called up and I’m happy to see that. Harper handled it well, by stealing home on Hamels right after. He has guts and a lot of confidence. I just don’t see a problem with the HBP, I guess.

What did Harper do once he got promoted? He’s been a solid citizen. He left the showboating in the minors.

” I do not believe that sense of entitlement would just magically humble itself away.”

Hey, if we are going to throw at every arrogant jerk in baseball, we’re going to see a lot more base runners.

What do you think Bryce Harper learned from the whole thing? Do you think the supposed sense of entitlement has been lessened? Would perhaps completely over powering the kid with a strike out have worked better?

Here’s Curt Schilling’s opinion on the matter as well as the idea of “old school baseball” and “unwritten rules”.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=7900255