"I was trying to hit him. I'm not going to deny it."

Suspension coming for Cole Hamels?

Not sure I've ever seen someone make comments like that and NOT get suspended.

Jerk move for sure. I love how Harper made him pay for it by stealing home. The Nats sent Hamels a message back, IIRC.

I would suspend him so that he misses 2 starts...not the usual 5 games which just means his start gets pushed back a day.

Meh. I'm a Hamels fan. I don't see the point in hitting Harper, but he did it the right way if you are going to do it (keeping it low and away from the head). I'd be pissed were I the Phil's brass -- way to get yourself suspended, Cole.

Did he also admit to fixing games? Who else let's a guy steal home on him like that?

What did he hit him for?

What did he hit him for?

Being a rookie, apparently. It was meant to welcome him to the big leagues or something.

Being a rookie, apparently. It was meant to welcome him to the big leagues or something.

That's just stupid. You don't hit a guy in the back because he's a rookie.

Glad to see he got hit back.

What did he hit him for?

I think Bryce Harper might be the most hated player in baseball right now. I only watched his first series against the Dodgers, but he was booed at every plate appearance.

He's a rookie, he's arrogant, and he's awesome. That combination might get you booed and plunked from time to time.

He's a rookie, he's arrogant, and he's awesome. That combination might get you booed and plunked from time to time.

I don't imagine that's the last purpose pitch he sees this season.

It may be the last time the pitcher admits to it though.

Well, Nats GM Mike Rizzo isn't holding back.

Rizzo said player safety should take precedence and Hamels should miss at least one start.

“With all the bounty [stuff] going on in professional football, the commissioner better act with a purpose on this thing,” Rizzo said. “Players have a way of monitoring themselves. We’re not here to hit people and hurt people.

“He thinks he’s sending a message to us of being a tough guy. He’s sending the polar opposite message. He says he’s being honest; well, I’m being honest. It was a gutless chicken [bleep] [bleeping] act. That was a fake-tough act. No one has ever accused Cole Hamels of being old school.”

The Nationals-Phillies rivalry reached a new intensity this weekend, but Rizzo said the intentional plunking is a different matter.

“This goes beyond rivalry and all that stuff,” Rizzo said. “This points to, you take the youngest guy in baseball. He’s never done a thing. And then Hamels patted himself on the back. Harper’s old school. Hitting him on the back, that ain’t old school. That’s [bleeping] chicken [bleep].”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/mike-rizzo-calls-cole-hamels-fake-tough-calls-for-suspension-after-classless-gutless-act/2012/05/07/gIQAZPO07T_blog.html

Well, Nats GM Mike Rizzo isn't holding back.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/mike-rizzo-calls-cole-hamels-fake-tough-calls-for-suspension-after-classless-gutless-act/2012/05/07/gIQAZPO07T_blog.html

Good stuff. Gotta say the Nats are far more interesting this year then they've been... ever.

Good stuff. Gotta say the Nats are far more interesting this year then they've been... ever.

Yup.

I hope they mop up the Phillies this year. I love Philly, the city, but their fans are on par with Boston.

Gotta respect Rizzo for calling it like he sees it. Hitting a rookie for being a rookie is ridiculous, no matter who the player is.

Way to be a toolbox, Hamels.