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New York Mets first baseman has an interesting suggested solution for settling beefs between pitchers and hitters: let them fight.
Speaking at the All-Star Game festivities this week, Pete Alonso was asked by a reporter what single MLB rule he would change if given the opportunity.
Without even a moment of hesitation, Alonso uncorked his idea: allowing pitchers and hitters to fight each other like players in the NHL do. The motivation behind Alonso’s rule is that he believes hitters shouldn’t be ejected for charging the mound.
Pete Alonso believes pitchers and hitters should be allowed to fight each other ‘hockey style’
“I don’t think people should get ejected after charging the mound or fighting,” Alonso explained.
“So I think it should be hockey style. No teams, no nothing, because that’s when people can, like, seriously get hurt. So, I think if you want to go out and charged the mound, then you should be able to,” he continued.
“But if the pitcher or hitter charges, and they don’t want to fight, and they take a knee, then they don’t have to fight. But if someone charges the mound, it’s 1 v. 1 hockey style. And then that’s it.”
@yahoosports Should the MLB allow players to fight like in hockey? 🤔 #mlb #baseball #petealonso #mets #newyorkmets
There are multiple levels at which Alonso’s comments are hilarious, so let’s start with the first and foremost, which is that this idea of his likely came to his mind as he was visualizing beating the absolute pulp out of a pitcher who just threw one behind him.
The second is to actually imagine in your mind’s eye what Alonso is suggesting here: close your eyes and actually imagine a hitter charing the pitcher and the pair then duking it out. It’s actually… kind of awesome? Like, imagine actually being in the stadium and seeing two dudes on the mound throwing haymakers in the bottom of the 7th during a tie ballgame. There’s no denying it’d be electric.
Does it have ANYTHING to do with baseball (wherein hockey is an inherently violet sport)? Absolutely not. But… it’s not the word proposed MLB rule change I’ve ever heard.
The 30 year old Alonso, playing in his fifth All-Star game this season, is batting .280 with 21 home runs, 77 RBIs and 101 hits so far this season as they Mets head into the All Star break 0.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the National League East.