Ok now I readily admit that I am a Red Sox fan so I may be slightly biased when evaluating what happened in today’s game.  But having said that here is how I’d divide up the blame pie for today’s bench clearing non brawl.

 

 Culprit #1 – The Umpire (50% of the blame)

 

Everybody knows that you can’t grant time once a pitcher is half way through his wind up.   That’s how people get hurt.  So Josh Beckett had no choice but to follow through with that pitch.  That’s what guys are taught to do to prevent injury.  Bottom line is the umpire should have never granted time out at that point in the wind up.

 

Culprit #2 – Bobby Abreu (35% of the blame)

 

Either call time or don’t call time dude.  I mean Beckett looked back and forth to 2nd base like a million times.  He gave Abreu ever opportunity in the world to step out of the box, but he intentionally chose to wait until the last possible minute.   He was trying to get in Beckett’s head and that’s just bush league baseball where I come from.  I mean what did Abreu expect to happen?   That type of garbage will get you beamed 9 out of 10 times.

 

Culprit #3 – The Angels Inferiority Complex (14% of the blame)

 

The third culprit is the fact that the Angels are our bitch.     They are just sick and tired of getting hammered by us in the playoffs every year and now they act like a scorned lover who is ultra sensitive to anything they perceive as an insult.  So naturally they make a mountain out of a molehill in situations like this.  I guess it’s to be expected.

 

Culprit #4 – Josh Beckett (1% of the blame)   

 

I know, I know.   I’m probably being hard on Josh Beckett here.   I’m sure Varitek called for an inside fastball and when the ump called time at the last second Beckett did his best to throw it to the back screen like all pitchers are taught to do.   Still it was close to bashing Abreu’s teeth in.    So against my better judgment I’m forced to give him 1% of the blame just so people don’t accuse me of being a homer.