Current, former players come to Noah Syndergaard’s defense
Royals players (and quite a few fans) were enraged by Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard’s first pitch to Alcides Escobar in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday.
But many current and former ballplayers thought Syndergaard’s pitch was part of the game. Many thought the Royals' reaction was also just a part of the game:
Are both sides not right in the Syndergaard affair by the way? He does what he has to do & Royals are allowed to be angry.
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) October 31, 2015Syndergaard would be crazy to just let Escobar continue taking batting practice, and it would be unlike Royals to not take up for their guy.
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) October 31, 2015Many folks making big deal out of Syndergaard 1st pitch. Since old school days, pitchers taught 2 make hot hitters uncomfy. Non-issue.
— Les Norman (@Lnorman22) October 31, 2015Frank Viola on @MLBNetwork re pitch #1: “Personally, I think it’s wonderful . . . I know he was not headhunting, but he did make a point.”
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 31, 2015Every day, on every pro field, there's a situation like the Syndergaard/Escobar one. Pitcher protects his plate & team backs their teammate.
— Michael Schlact (@michael_schlact) October 31, 2015The Royals complaining about Syndergaard's first pitch yesterday is one of the most hypocritical things ever. That's why I don't like you.
— Todd Van Steensel (@toddvs35) October 31, 2015Many Royals fans know Rob Neyer, and he wrote:
“Because I don’t believe, and I don’t think anyone believes, that Noah Syndergaard was trying to bean Alcides Escobar in Game 3.
“Yes, it was obviously a purpose pitch, but in this case the purpose was to signal, as loudly and clearly as possible, that Escobar would be allowed to just dig and take a big hack at a first-pitch fastball down Broadway, as he’s done so many times in recent weeks. And seriously, why would you keep letting him do that.”
You can read more by following the link in his tweet below:
Sorry #Royals, but your complaints about Sydergaard ring hollow: https://t.co/heVnJu69Hg #WorldSeries #Mets
— robneyer (@robneyer) October 31, 2015Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 12:29 PM.