When speedy Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan charged the mound at Florida Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad on Wednesday night, he did it to defend himself.
Nyjer had been plunked on the back earlier in the game, most likely on purpose for separating catcher Brett Hayes' left shoulder, which tells you the Marlins weren't too happy with Morgan.
Morgan had made a dirty play in the series before against the St. Louis Cardinals, bumping into their catcher Bryan Anderson when there was no play at the plate.
It looks like the Florida Marlins had gotten their payback: They plunk the guy; you are leading by 11 runs; it's over.
But Morgan, too, wanted his part of the revenge, as he stole second and third base—not to mention he slid in aggressively.
The Fish didn't like that, as later in the game, Volstad threw behind Nyjer Morgan. That was pushing too hard. What are you going to do, just take another base?
Morgan sprinted towards Volstad and missed a punch, while Gaby Sanchez from the Marlins quickly clotheslined him to the ground.
The benches cleared.
Now at this point, it seems to boil down to this: The Marlins made a mistake trying to hit Morgan two times. It should have just ended when he was hit the first time. Morgan had to crash into Hayes at the plate the night before; it was in extra innings. You aren't going to slide and get an out at that point, are you?
Morgan understood the first time he was hit since he had made the dirty play in St. Louis, but it wasn't dirty in Florida. He still kept his temper until he couldn't anymore.
So, if the story were to end there, with players leaving after the brawl, there were positive notes for baseball in there.
It showed that our national pastime matters to many of us. It showed that people will fight back in Major League Baseball and that it is isn't a sport that should be ignored. It showed that there could be some entertainment while at it.
But sadly, the story doesn't end there. As Morgan was heading to the showers after the brawl, with his jersey torn (which is probably coming out of his paycheck), he screamed at the fans booing him. You can't exactly know what he had said, but screaming at fans and raising his hands as if saying, "what are you gonna do about it" is a big no-no.
He had made baseball an embarrassment because of that act, and that can't possibly be close to being okay to MLB commissioner Bud Selig and us, the fans.
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