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From: larry@bmcg.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: roadmap perez
Message-ID: <1310@bmcg.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-Aug-84 19:23:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: bmcg.1310
Posted: Fri Aug 24 19:23:23 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Sep-84 09:54:38 EDT
Organization: Burroughs Corporation, San Diego
Lines: 35

It is not at all difficult to believe that the Braves would throw at Wiggins
after being "shown up" by him in several previous games. I understand, in fact,
that at least one sports writer in attendance predicted the location of the the
first pitch (Wiggin's ribs) before it was thrown. Evidently, it was decided
that rather than throwing many pitches "to" Wiggins, it would be better to
throw one pitch "at" Wiggins; thus saving Perez's arm and making a point at the
same time.

Whether one thinks that Perez is a dirty player or not, it is certainly
stretching it a bit to say that his actions add to the game in any positive
way. His actions, both on and off the field, have been detrimental to the game.
There is nothing wrong with showing enthusiasm on the field, but Perez's antics
and gestures are typically directed at an opposing player; trying to "put it in
his face", as it were. Sooner or later, it has got to come back "in Perez's
face".

It must be awkward for the rest of the Braves when Perez instigates these
situations and then runs away leaving them to deal with the other team. Craig
Lefferts remained on the field after (finally) hitting Perez and received
several punches from Perry (Perry later evened his boxing record at 1-1 when he
faced Bobby Brown).

Why is it that Williams comes out of this fiasco as the bad guy and Joe Torre
escaped untarnished? To the Padres (Williams) credit, they went after only one
man - Perez - who had already hit Wiggins. The Braves (Torre) went after two
men - Wiggins & Nettles - who hadn't hit anyone (although Nettles had hit a
home run).

While I don't like the idea of another brawl when San Diego and Atlanta meet in
September, I do like the idea of Perez being made responsible for his actions.
If he feels the need to hit another batter - "In his Face".

					
					Larry Hawkes