Ex-MLB GM thinks Braves should watch out for Bryce Harper retaliation from Phillies

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies | Mitchell Leff/GettyImages

Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider is doing his best to return to his former self. He hasn't been as dominant as fans are used to. Regardless, he's only had three starts, and it's going to take time for him to get back on track. His third start back opened an important series between the Braves and Phillies this week.

Despite not having his best stuff, he kept the Phillies to one run on Tuesday night, along with four walks and seven strikeouts. The walks are highly uncharacteristic of Strider, but he pushed through. However, in the aftermath, no one is talking about him taking a step in the right direction.

The focus has been on Strider hitting Phillies star Bryce Harper with a pitch in the first inning. Strider's second pitch of the at-bat sailed inside and hit Harper on the elbow. There was no protective guard, and Harper ended up leaving the game. Thankfully, he was okay, as X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with an elbow contusion.

There's no reason to believe it was intentional - unless you're a Phillies fan, of course. Somehow, though, that has been the conversation around Strider hitting Harper. Some Philly fans are convinced it was on purpose and revenge is due.

Trevor Plouffe and Ruben Amaro Jr. believe the Braves should watch out for retaliation from Phillies pitchers

There would be no reason for Strider to plunk Harper with a 95-mph fastball in that scenario. However, that hasn't stopped some from suggesting that he did, including an MLB expert and a former GM of the Phillies.

Ruben Amaro Jr. was a GM for the Phillies, but he now serves as a color commentator for Philly broadcasts. He had some interesting comments after Tuesday's game and believes there should be retribution.

“There’s a lot of baseball to play against the Atlanta Braves, and I will tell you that somebody on that mound will do the job by retaliating. I’m not sure when. They have plenty of time to do it. But it certainly should happen, because, for me, even if it wasn’t purposeful to hit him, I think that retaliation is the right thing to do.”

It's incredibly stupid to say that the Phillies should retaliate even if it wasn't on purpose. In no world is that the "right thing to do." Putting another player at risk for injury because of an accident is absolutely absurd.

This sentiment was echoed by Trevor Plouffe on a podcast with Chris Rose. Plouffe stated he didn't think Strider hit Harper intentionally, but then stated, "Sometimes you have to protect your players."

Again, this is an asinine thought process, because hitting another player for a non-intentional hit by pitch does nothing but create a cycle of revenge. He went on to say, "As long as it's done the right way, I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with it."

It's such an archaic way of thinking, especially when it wasn't intentional on Strider's part. How is there a right way to handle responding to a pitcher unintentionally hitting someone? If a Braves batter gets hit during today's doubleheader, it will be intentional and stupid. There's no need for it, and anyone who suggests it's right is foolish.

Strider even stated after the game there was no intention behind his errant pitch, and he was pissed about hitting Harper, but relieved to know he was okay.

“He’s one of the best players of this century. So he needs to be on the field. That’s best for the game and it’s good for us. It’s good to compete against him," Strider concluded.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what Strider says. Phillies fans have made up their minds that it was on purpose and someone needs to pay for it. It will be interesting to see if anything happens and how the umpires handle it.

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