On more than a few occasions in the last couple of years, we have seen MLB managers and players publicly complaining when a specific team steal bases, hits in a 3-0 count, or tries to score more runs in a lopsided game.
They often find it offensive.
But the goal of baseball is to score more runs than the other team within nine innings: the rules don’t say anything about showing mercy or to stop trying because someone’s feelings may be hurt.
And what happened last night between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets is a perfect example of that.
The Phillies got to the ninth inning up 7-1, and what looked like an easy win turned into a nightmarish ending.
The Mets didn’t surrender and scored seven runs in the ninth frame, capping an impressive come-from-behind win at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies-Mets Game Should Be A Reminder
The next time you feel offended by some team scoring runs and not letting up, think about this game.
The Phillies probably thought they had it in the bag.
“The Mets-Phillies game tonight is a perfect example of why Gabe Kapler was right. You don’t stop competing because you have a comfy lead to protect your opponent’s feelings. Not saying the Phillies stopped trying, but you get my point,” MLB analyst Jared Carrabis tweeted.
The Mets-Phillies game tonight is a perfect example of why Gabe Kapler was right. You don’t stop competing because you have a comfy lead to protect your opponent’s feelings. Not saying the Phillies stopped trying, but you get my point.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) May 6, 2022
Earlier in the year, Kapler had defended Thairo Estrada for stealing a base in a lopsided game.
Teams should never stop trying in baseball, because at the most unexpected time, they may not be able to protect an advantage.
No advantage in MLB, where the best hitters in the world play, is safe.
