Idiotic baseball traditions? Intentionally hitting a hot batter is among worst
A sadly misguided pitcher took the mound for the Miami Marlins against Atlanta on Wednesday, facing one of the game’s greatest young stars to lead off the game, and the pitcher decided not to compete. He chose to maim.
With one cowardly pitch — Jose Urena’s fastball taking dead aim at Ronald Acuna — one of baseball’s sorriest traditions took a hit, as well. Perhaps it will vanish completely in time. “Hit the guy” is not a proper response for a team’s own failures.
Acuna is one of the game’s shining lights, just 20 years old and destined for greatness. He’s a good, earnest kid who plays with flair and panache.