By now, people across the United States have all let their opinions be heard regarding exactly who is to blame for a brawl between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres on Thursday night that resulted in superstar pitcher Zack Greinke breaking his left collarbone.
Most place the bulk of the blame on Padres slugger Carlos Quentin for charging the mound after being hit by a 3-2 fastball in a one-run game, a situation in which Greinke couldn't have possibly been trying to hit him on purpose. There are also those who blame Greinke for egging on Quentin by saying something after the plunking and charging back towards him as he raced towards the mound.
The real answer is that they're both to blame for the stupidity that resulted on Thursday. Quentin, a veteran of seven big-league seasons, should know better than to assume Greinke is purposefully plunking him on a 3-2 pitch in the fifth inning of a one-run game, while Greinke shouldn't have mouthed off towards Quentin and lowered his shoulder into him.
If any team can withstand the loss of a pitcher of Greinke's caliber, it's the Dodgers, who have lefties Chris Capuano in the bullpen and Ted Lilly rehabbing in the minors. However, it's still frustrating to see the team lose an ace-level pitcher, being paid an exorbitant amount of money, for a minimum of eight weeks, simply because he wanted to be a tough guy.
Excellent assessment - couldn't agree more.
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