I grew up in Washington DC, during the 70’s without baseball for the most part. I annoy my family/friends from other baseball cities with some really dumb questions but this one even they cannot explain.  The Washington Nationals Center fielder, Nyger Morgan is not going to win any baseball sportsmanship contests in the foreseeable future but stealing two bases when you are down by double digits should not be looked upon as showing your opponent up. Last time I checked if you are down in any type of sporting event you do whatever you can to get yourself back in the game right? If that means stealing bases then stealing bases is now on the menu. We've seen NFL attempt multiple onside kicks and other gimmicks to get themselves back in games so why is baseball allowed to be different? If I purchased a ticket then I want my team to do everything they can conventionally and unconventionally if need be to win. As Herman Edwards put it so eloquently…"You play to win the game".

Baseball has a lot of traditions and rules of etiquette I will never understand, but any rule written or unwritten that prevents a team from being competitive is a stupid rule in my book. Morgan has issues so please do not assume I am taking his side during his lapse into crazy behavior but he should not be thrown at for what would be considered hustle in any other major sport. The MLB talking heads are in lock-step defending this moronic tradition even though the Florida Marlins had a double digit lead. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around how anyone can feel shown up with a double digit lead. Maybe Morgan should ask the Marlins permission before attempting to bring his team back next time?

This is strike two for baseball traditionalists. First they defend officials with strike zones that vary by the pitch and now they defend the practice of looking down on pure hustle. The traditionalists want to keep the game behind the evolutionary curve. Now these same people are protecting one of the dumbest unwritten rules in the history of any team sport. Perhaps Baseball should provide more grief counselors at the games because these guys clearly are walking an emotional tight rope.