The circumstances were perfect for what happened at the Cell Saturday. The Sox, coming off the World Series championship, beat the Cubs on Friday, badly, and their fans just want more. The want the Cubs (and their fans) humiliated.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have been playing very poorly recently. The fans are increasingly frustrated and visiting that frustration on their players. They get trounced on Friday, and look as bad early Saturday.
Last August and earlier this month, Michael Barrett has been cited here for stupidity.
Saturday, he was at it again. He was all instinct, and his instincts are bad. To his credit, he admitted Pierzynski's play was clean, and he was wrong to punch Pierzynski.
Thing is, Pierzynski is an instigator, and you simply cannot take his bait. He is all about the fake rah-rah (slapping the plate), the bending/taking advantage of the rules, and all around needler. You hate him unless he is on your team. I hate him. You take his bait, like Barrett did, and you show you are mentally weak, which he is.
If this team couldn’t win with Corey Patterson on it, I say you cannot win with Micahel Barrett on it. Yes, he got the big hit yesterday, but his reptile-like brain will screw it up in a crucial situation, and you simply need a smarter guy behind the plate.
That said, you cannot be too down on a guy that punches A.J. Pierzynski.
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