If you watched the game last night you saw the confrontation between Manager Joe Maddon and Coco Crisp. Coco tried to steal second in the eighth inning of a 5-1 game and slid late and hard into Akinori Iwamura while being tagged out. It was a blatant cheap shot attempt and Joe Maddon had plenty to say to Crisp when he went out to the mound to replace Jason Hammel. They shouted at each other and eventually stared each other down from the dugout. I love the fact that Maddon is defending his players but I think it’s high time that Aki stopped letting everyone fight his battles for him. Crisp says he was mad at an earlier play in which he says Jason Bartlett blocked the bag at which point he said he told Bartlett to watch out. He then retaliates against Aki while trying to steal in the eighth? This is the second time Aki has been involved with dirty tactics at second and he has not even come close to defending himself. This time it was Maddon, the first time it was Jonny Gomes coming in from right field. I’m all for keeping your composure and what not, but a man needs to be a man! I like Aki and think he’s doing a great job at second, but he looks like a little boy waiting for his big brother to step in out there. He should’ve pummeled Shelley Duncan the first time and he should’ve done it to Crisp as well. In my old age I have learned to walk away from a fight, but I will never let someone treat me like a bitch! It makes me wonder about Aki’s toughness when he just allows people to do this. We saw both ends of the spectrum last night. Aki walked away without saying a word again and B.J. Upton cried like a little bitch after striking out looking for the 400th time this year. Both are wrong and both look bad. Upton needs to shut up and swing. Aki needs to stand up for himself. I’ve always said “if you’re afraid to fight but will, that’s normal. If you won’t fight because you’re afraid, you’re a bitch”. Have some backbone and stand up for yourself Aki! The video here is courtesy of David Chalk at Bugs and Cranks, it was brought to my attention by Rays Index. 

   The other thing that bothers me about this is that the Announcers, Fans, Coaches, Players, Bugs, Birds and everyone else expects the pitcher to hit him today. Our pitcher is Shields today and he gives us the biggest chance not to get swept. He could hit Crisp and could get ejected, not good. Then the Sox win again! Let’s wait to retaliate and how bout Aki stands up for himself now!

Scott Brannelly

Sources: Rays Index, Bugs and Cranks