Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Dempster may be a saint to lots of MLB fans after intentionally throwing at, and finally hitting, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. But honestly, this event just shows the Boston Red Sox‘ true colors.
How, you may ask?
Well, this isn’t the first player intentionally hit by the Red Sox in 2013. Remember when John Lackey purposely beaned Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Matt Joyce earlier in 2013 for celebrating a home run during his previous at-bat? It served literally no purpose except to try and injure an opponent.
On a slightly different note, Dempster hitting Rodriguez might have had some merit, considering A-Rod’s involvement in the whole PED scandal. Many feel he shouldn’t be playing, and they may have a valid point.
That being said, the Red Sox have no business trying to plunk anyone because they made a mistake. Especially considering David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were involved in PED scandals themselves years ago. Both could be clean now, but who knows?
Personally, I feel this is a blatant attempt to injure Rodriguez more than anything else. That’s because Dempster threw at him three — yes, three — different times before finally connecting. Such an attempt to injure shows that the Red Sox will do anything they can to win. That includes taking out and possibly ending an opponent’s career.
And if they end up ruining a player’s life along the way, so be it.
Is that the right way to approach things? No. But when it comes to the Red Sox, nothing less should be expected. Just ask A-Rod or Joyce.
Lauren Burg is a Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL and MLB writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook and join her Google network.
