Why do White Sox pitchers always do this? Whenever they throw at an opposing hitter intentionally, they always admit to it, opening themselves up for possible fines and suspensions.
Every team in the league intentionally throws at someone every now and then. The White Sox are the only ones who talk about it in the newspapers. Everyone else lies and says, "I didn't throw at him. The ball just got away from me."
Not the Sox. Here's what John Danks had to say after he threw a brushback pitch to Detroit's Ryan Raburn during Wednesday night's 5-1 Tigers win.
"They hit Manny (Ramirez) twice yesterday and almost hit Andruw (Jones), so we were definitely trying to send a message," Danks said. "We didn't hit anyone, so I don't know if the warning was warranted, but I can definitely understand why the umpire did it. It is his job to keep control out there, so you can't fault him."
I'm glad Danks sent the message by throwing at Raburn. The Sox have their starting second baseman, Gordon Beckham, out of the lineup right now because he was hit by a pitch. And Ramirez has been plunked four times already in his short time with Chicago. Enough is enough. Go ahead and retaliate.
But when the media asks about it, lie through your teeth. There's a reason the White Sox have a reputation as "headhunters," even though their pitching staff has hit the second fewest batters in the league this season. They just can't resist telling the truth in these situations.
Sometimes, you're just better off fibbing a little bit, ya know?
Like you, I don't understand why the Sox don't just lie when they're confronted about whether or not they intentionally hit a batter on the opposing team. When our pitchers are honest about stuff like that, they open themselves up to criticism and questions, and may as well walk around with a sign around their necks that says, "I hit so-and-so intentionally; suspend or fine me, MLB." It's not that hard to bend the truth; the Sox just need to do it on the rare occasion they actually retaliate!