Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez may change people's minds who think major-league baseball players don't care about interleague play.
Martinez sounded off Tuesday, directing harsh words toward Pittsburgh Pirates ace Gerrit Cole and Pittsburgh's coaching staff when asked about being plunked following Detroit's 5-4 loss.
"I have no respect for no one on that team, including Cole and their coaching staff," said Martinez, who was adamant that Cole intentionally hit him.
The incident occurred in the fourth inning when Cole struck Martinez on the backside with a 95 mph fastball on the first pitch of his at-bat. Martinez stared down Cole as he walked slowly to first base and continued to glare at Cole as he went to the dugout when the inning ended.
Martinez claimed Cole's pitch was in retaliation for an incident in the top of the fourth inning, when Tigers starter Justin Verlander hit Pirates outfielder Sterling Marte with a pitch.
"If they think that Verlander hit Marte with a 1-2 count -- he was battling that at-bat," Martinez told James Schmehl of mlive.com. "If they really think we did that on purpose, they're playing the wrong sport."
Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus said he didn't think the benches were on the verge of clearing at any point.
"Everyone seemed pretty calm," Ausmus said. "I didn't see anyone come out of the dugout and move towards the pitcher. They seemed pretty calm."
In the fifth inning, Verlander struck first baseman Pedro Alvarez with his first pitch, leading plate umpire Chris Segal to issue warnings to both benches. No one was ejected from the game, and play resumed without further incident.
Verlander denied trying to intentionally hit Alvarez.
"That one got away from me," Verlander said.
Out-of-ring moves
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is asking a federal judge to block lawsuits by former wrestlers who claim they have suffered long-term health problems from concussions they received in the ring.
The company, based in Stamford, Conn., argued in U.S. District Court earlier this week that the wrestlers' claims are fraudulent and should be barred because of a three-year statute of limitations on such claims in Connecticut. They are also asking that all such litigation be moved to federal court in Connecticut.
WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt told The Associated Press that the company is being targeted by a lawyer who is improperly shopping lawsuits to former wrestlers across the country. He said the wrestlers are being convinced they can make a windfall similar to former NFL players who brought similar litigation.
"Before this guy started trolling around looking for people to sue, we didn't have one person -- none -- claiming they had any kind of traumatic brain injuries, or dementia or ALS or any kind of stuff you see associated with the NFL," McDeVitt said.
It seems safe to say this is one story line the WWE doesn't want to touch.
Sports quiz
How many major-league teams has Victor Martinez played for?
Answer
Three: The Cleveland Indians (2002-2009), the Boston Red Sox (2009-2010) and the Detroit Tigers (2011, 2013-present).
Sports on 07/03/2015