I agree that it’s gotten out of hand in this day and age of ESPN highlights and big contracts. When I refer to etiquette, I’m talking about ‘etiquette’ I’m basically talking about things like both teams allowing pitchers to throw inside without tolerating recklessness, and also a little self-regulation of good sportsmanship.
What Strickland did was bullshit more than what Harper did in retaliation, though I agree that throwing a helmet was a bit overboard. I can see throwing inside on Harp if the guy it were a Sunday afternoon game and Harp had cracked 3 or 4 dingers the previous two nights. But I mean inside - not behind him and not at his head.
I do have a problem with bench clearing brawls, which are hazardous to every player and coach involved. It needs to be like the NBA: leave the bench and get suspended for a few games.
Throwing a helmet at someone is not “A bit overboard.” Throwing a helmet at someone is jumping overboard, hopping in a speedboat, and racing 25 miles away. It’s hideously reckless. You could really, really seriously hurt someone.
I mean, it’s not like violence in baseball is a new thing. Fighting used to be pretty common. I’m just sick of it.
Hell, even the NHL doesn’t have bench clearing brawls anymore; if you leave the bench you’re in serious trouble.