Sometimes the team comes first. Sometimes, a manager is just looking out for his players.
A decision by Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts during Saturday's game between the Dodgers and the Miami Marlins sparked a debate between announcers during Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers in Anaheim.
The fact that Roberts pulled starting pitcher Rich Hill after seven innings is fairly normal in his era of 100-pitch limits and strong bullpens.
But Hill, making just his third start for the Dodgers since being acquired from Oakland at the Aug. 1 trade deadline, was 89 pitches in to a perfect game
A problem with blisters on his throwing hand has limited Hill's opportunities since his trade to the Dodgers, who lead the San Francisco Giants by three games in the National League West.
"I feel sick to my stomach," Roberts said after the game. "Rich obviously had a perfect game and the opportunity of a lifetime. It [was] a great opportunity for him, his family and his teammates, but we've been dealing with his blister and that caused him to lose a lot of time this season."
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Angels broadcasters Mark Langston and Mark Gubicza, both former major league pitchers, had a spirited discussion about Robert's decision to pull Hill.
"It was the right call," Langston said. "The guy just came off the disabled list. He could have thrown 120 pitches. Would you be OK with that?"
Gubicza said he would.
"Eighty-nine pitches? He has to be in there, man," Gubicza said. "If he had 100-something pitches, I could almost live with it, but 89 in seven innings? He's averaging 12 pitches an inning. So 24 more pitches. Really? You can't do that?"
Reminded of Hill's blister problems on his pitching hand, Gubicza asked, "Did it pop open at that point? So why's it going to pop open in the eighth inning?"
Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, not surprisingly, sided with Roberts.
"You have a responsibility to do not only what's best for the team but for a player's health," Scioscia said.
"As a manager, it all points to it most likely being a prudent move."
Sports Illustrated's Ted Keith pointed out that Roberts isn't the first manager forced to make this kind of call.
On Sept. 2, 1996, New York Yankees pitcher David Cone, then 33, had a no-hitter going through seven innings against Oakland when Manager Joe Torre pulled him after 85 pitches. The Yankees lost the no-hitter, but won the game, wrapped up the AL East, and went on to win the World Series.
On the flip side, on June 1, 2012, New York Mets starter Johan Santana, also 33 at the time, was pitching a no-hitter against St. Louis and Manager Terry Collins decided to leave him in the game. He finished the no-hitter (the only one ever pitched by the Mets), but put a strain on his recently repaired shoulder. Santana made 10 more starts that season, finishing 0-5 with a 15.83 ERA in his last five outings, landed on the disabled list in August and never pitched in the majors again.
Was Roberts right to pull Hill? Probably. Does Hill have to like it? Probably not.
Big day for big men
Among those inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday were fomer NBA superstars Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal.
The two big men didn't hesitate to take a few shots at fellow inductees and former teammates during their speeches.
"When I heard that I would be the first speaker here tonight, I think that maybe somebody made a mistake," Yao said. "Don't laugh, because I think this spot belongs to great Allen Iverson. You know why? Because I need more practice than him."
Yao also said he was glad he got to play against fellow inductee Shaquille O'Neal.
"Every game we played reminded me of the old saying, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' "
As for Shaq, he gave former teammate Kobe Bryant some of the credit for his success.
"I'd like to thank Kobe Bryant, a guy that pushed me to three titles in a row," O'Neal said, "and then pushed me off the team and got me traded to Miami."
Sports quiz
Who pitched the last perfect game for the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Answer
Sandy Koufax on Sept. 9, 1965. Chicago Cubs pitcher Bob Hendley pitched a 1-hitter in loss to Koufax.
Sports on 09/12/2016