Unfazed by comebacker, LaTroy Hawkins still refuses to wear a cup

By Bill BaerAug 15, 2013, 9:00 PM EDT
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Mets reliever LaTroy Hawkins took a comebacker to the manhood area last night against the Dodgers, an experience that Hawkins later said felt like getting “kicked by a mule.”

The Mets, mercifully, granted Hawkins a night off after his incident, but the right-hander seems to have not learned a lesson from any of this. Hawkins told the media today that he still won’t wear a cup. Via ESPN’s Adam Rubin:

“I never have. I never will,” Hawkins said. “I tried it a couple of times in the minor leagues. It wasn’t comfortable. I’ve thrown a lot of innings. I’ve been in a lot of ballgames. This is the first time I got hit. It won’t change.” 

Hawkins added, “Me and my wife are done having kids, so we’re good. Twelve years ago I would have.”

I can think of safer ways to sterilize oneself, but to each his own.

MLB calls umpire union statement about Manny Machado discipline “inappropriate”

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By Craig CalcaterraJun 18, 2019, 7:39 PM EDT
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Earlier today the Major League Baseball Umpire’s Association made multiple posts on social media registering its displeasure at what it feels was the league’s weak discipline of Manny Machado following his run-in with umpire Bill Welke. It was an unusual statement, as it’s not common for umpires, individual or via their union to comment on such matters.

This evening, in an official statement, the league called it inappropriate:

“Manny Machado was suspended by MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre, who considered all the facts and circumstances of Machado’s conduct, including precedent, in determining the appropriate level of discipline.  Mr. Machado is appealing his suspension and we do not believe it is appropriate for the union representing Major League Umpires to comment on the discipline of players represented by the Players Association, just as it would not be appropriate for the Players Association to comment on disciplinary decisions made with respect to umpires.  We also believe it is inappropriate to compare this incident to the extraordinarily serious issue of workplace violence.”

That final bit, about workplace violence, is something that I didn’t really consider when I read the umps’ statements, but it’s a damn good point. In an age where people are literally shooting up workplaces, umpires making reference to that kind of thing in response to a player throwing a bat is pretty rich indeed. And in pretty poor taste.