MLB commissioner Rob Manfred opted against punishing players who took part in the Astros cheating scandal — a decision that clearly angered players across the league.
In the days since spring training practices opened in Arizona and Florida, we’ve heard players take uncharacteristically open shots at both Manfred and the Astros players. Mike Trout — who rarely says anything of consequence — ripped into the Astros on Monday. Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and Kris Bryant also delivered emotional responses.
But on Tuesday, Braves outfielder Nick Markakis said what many expected big-league players truly felt about the situation. And it could have the Astros making a run at the single-season record for hit by pitch. Markakis said via USA TODAY Sports:
“It’s anger. I feel like every single guy over there needs a beating. It’s wrong. They’re messing with people’s careers.”
Manfred evidently warned managers about significant consequences for throwing at Astros players, but this is a sport with in-game retribution engraved in its tradition. And the Astros violated the Baseball Code in ways no team had done before. Plus, Manfred’s threats likely won’t intimidate players after they witnessed Manfred botch the punishment of the biggest cheating scandal in the game’s history. They’ll call that bluff.
This all has William Hill sportsbook setting an over/under for the number of Astros players to get hit by pitch this season at 83.5.
To put that in perspective, this sportsbook is projecting the Astros to get beaned every other game. This would come close to the modern era record of 103 hit by pitches during the Cleveland Indians’ 2008 season. The overall record was 148 by the 1898 Baltimore Orioles who must’ve really made a whole lot of pitchers angry (or just crowded the heck out of the plate).
But it’s clear that Vegas thinks MLB players will be unfazed by Manfred’s warning. And that could be painful for the Astros.
