When Mark Reynolds got beaned by the Washington Nationals, there was talk of why old-school Kirk Gibson didn't instruct a pitcher to retaliate (also, why Reynolds played the next game). Turns out the D-backs just weren't listening to the non-verbal communication or verbal storytelling.
↵↵↵From Nick Piecoro at AZcentral.com
↵"But somewhere down the line, if someone would have responded in that series, to me that's one of the things that helps (bring a team together)," Gibson said.
↵When asked whether he thought a pitcher should have responded against the Nationals - whom the Diamondbacks play again this weekend - Gibson answered with an anecdote.
↵He recalled a game from his year in Kansas City when the opposing team threw behind teammate George Brett's head in the ninth inning.
↵"Our pitcher didn't hit them," Gibson said. "When we went into the clubhouse, I tore that place up, and I called every one of them out. I did that as a player - I'm not going to do that as a manager.
So, to recap, the D-backs should know better. Quick, schedule a review of Historical Baseball Implicit Traditions and Unspoken Practices. Or maybe no one loves Mark Reynolds like Kirk Gibson loved George Brett.
↵