Tensions Between Pitchers

TENSIONS BETWEEN PITCHERS and hitters run high, especially in championship play. In the 2000 World Series, Roger Clemens allowed his emotions to rule his actions.

The American League’s New York Yankees and the National League’s New York Mets tangled in the first all–Big Apple series since 1956. After the Yankees took game one, the two teams met again at Yankee Stadium, with Mike Hampton hoping to even the score for his National League squad against Roger Clemens.

Earlier that year, the New York press reported a brewing feud between Clemens and Mets catcher Mike Piazza. The controversy stemmed from an incident when Clemens beaned Piazza’s batting helmet and sent him to the hospital with a concussion.

After striking out the first two Mets batters, Clemens went ahead 1-2 in the count to Piazza and threw a fastball inside at the hands. Piazza fouled off the pitch, but his bat shattered. The barrel skidded along the ground toward the mound.

Clemens fielded the lumber as it bounced toward him. The pitcher then spun toward the plate and fired the broken bat at Piazza’s feet as he ran toward first. Piazza calmly walked toward the Yankee pitcher before home-plate umpire Charlie Reliford intercepted him. Both benches emptied, but no punches flew, and order resumed after a few minutes. Finally, the catcher ended the inning with a groundout.

Calm prevailed through the remainder of the game. Clemens handcuffed the Mets, allowing two hits and striking out nine in eight shutout innings. Relievers Jeff Nelson and Mariano Rivera survived home runs by Piazza and Jay Payton to preserve a 6–5 Yankees victory.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT What was Roger Clemens thinking? No one can plan to break a bat and aim the splintered barrel at a player. The pitcher’s emotions got the best of him as he did something stupid. No injuries occurred, and fortunately for Clemens, the umpire didn’t eject him from the game.

God wants us to learn self-control. In Galatians, the apostle Paul describes what a Christian’s life should look like when the Holy Spirit is in control. Will you strive to have those characteristics in your life?

GOAL! How should Rogers Clemens have reacted to the broken bat? Ask God to help you show self-control in difficult situations.