The pitch seemed to have a purpose when Cole Hamels hit Bryce Harper in the back with it during the first inning Sunday night. Later on, after the Philadelphia Phillies had beaten the Washington Nationals 9-3, Hamels admitted that it did. As quoted by reporter Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Hamels said:
"I was trying to hit him. I'm not going to deny it."
By admitting to hitting a player on purpose, Hamels probably faces a five-game suspension by Major League Baseball, the net result of which probably will be having a future start pushed back one day. So, no real penalty for him, aside from a small fine.
Harper winced briefly after getting hit, and come morning he'll probably have a raspberry there — maybe an indentation of stitches — but he otherwise did the right thing by just walking to first base. And in his response, he appeared to understand Hamels' message.
OK, but why did Hamels do it? And why tell the world? What was the purpose of the purpose pitch?
"It's something I grew up watching. That's what happened. I'm just trying to continue the old baseball. Some people get away from it. I remember when I was a rookie, the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything. That's the way baseball is. Sometimes the league is protecting certain players. It's that old-school prestigious way of baseball."
Very Jedi. The key part of that somewhat garbled explanation was this: "I remember when I was a rookie, the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything."
Hamels means (I think) that Harper has had it too easy so far. He's just 19 years old (if you hadn't heard) and has been playing like a veteran. Coming into Sunday, he had four doubles and five walks in 29 plate appearances. He's been hitting the ball hard and avoiding swinging at pitches out of the zone. And, though I'm not sure about this, he's probably been working the umpires to help himself get the benefit of the doubt on pitches on the corners. Hamels hitting Harper is the pitcher taking back the inside part of the plate, while also reminding the rookie to mind his elders. Just accept umpires' ball-and-strike calls at face value, without questioning them. That's for Hamels, and other older players, to do.
What Hamels also did was baseball speak for "We respect you." Harper, and the Nationals. Washington took two of three games in the series and showed no fear of the Phillies. That was evident even in the loss Sunday when Harper, two batters after getting plunked, stole home on Hamels' pickoff attempt to first base. Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmermann also retaliated conventionally by hitting Hamels with a pitch. Ah, the hazards of pitching in the National League.
Not that any of it bothered Hamels. He seemed to enjoy ushering in a budding rivalry.
"It could be a really good rivalry," said Hamels, who dazzled in eight innings. "We're so close. Our fans can drive down. Their fans can drive up. Their team is starting to peak into a really good, competitive team."
A worthy opponent for the five-time reigning NL East champs.
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