was ready to unload. I got real excited and then Swisher tried to tackle him instead of fight. It was very disappointing.  

This evening's "Rangers Replay" on KRLD featured Mike Ogulnick harping on Padilla.  I called in, explained that I wanted to discuss Ogulnick's assertion that Nick Swisher should have "beat up" Padilla.  The lady who took call notes was regaled about how stupid that commentary was, but I never got on the air so hung up.  And sent Eric Nadel an email outlining all the unwanted attributes Ogulnick brings, including adoration of Sammy Sosa, his disingenuous use of "my contacts in the clubhouse (isn't that sanctimony, not to be violated?), and his website self introduction as "loving baseball, as MY listeners know ...".  

I suggested that KRLD would be well served to dump Ogulnick, and listed a half dozen reasons, including the self-serving bit.  

Padilla would dispatch Little Nicky in less time than it takes to tell about it.  No question at all.  I don't like his use of hitting batters as a get even, get down, get your way technique. But Swisher, who was privileged and patronized since age 8 by a fairly well off family to become a baseball stud, would have no chance.  At that age Padilla was ducking Sandanistas, foraging to help his family, and in the ensuing years has done more for deprived kids in Nicaragua that any named charity.  Not to mention probable jungle combat situations in his early teen years.  

Anyhow, thank you for posting this item.  I could not in my lifetime agree more.

I think the most egregious act was the fact that A's first base coach not being thrown for tackling Padilla and not letting up and whoever the tool was that came jumping on top of the pile.  That move is dangerous and stupid.  It is illegal in the NFL and the idiot should have had the crap kicked out of him and then been tossed.

I also thought it was stupid that Padilla was thrown  out.  There was no warning given.  The situation was not one that you would be hitting a guy.

but saw the replay on mlb.tv and Padilla was going to rock Swisher with a right before Salty jumped on him....                              

Who was the A's player that went flying over the top, and what the hell was their 1st base coach doing?                                            

I also believe that Padilla was thrown out of the game because of his reputation.

Another thing that I noticed was TAG and Victor just laying into Padilla...they should have cut him some slack after all he hit Swisher, he's a little bitch.

he absorbed the attempted "tackle", kept his balance and threw his wieght down on Swisher.

He was in perfect position to destroy him, but people started jumping in and ruined what was going to be an absolute ass kicking. It was not meant to be.

I'm glad Swisher got hit, though. What a tool. You just know he was in the clubhouse after the game rubbing $400 leave-in conditioner into his douchey hair while telling all his teammates "The Swish was totally about to whoop that dude's ass, bro".

...I got to the game literally seconds after the brawl.  Pretty bummed I missed it, but it turned into a fun game to watch, if for no other reason than my A's buddy and I could explain each others' bullpen arms.

I'm so pissed that I didn't watch this game. Padilla did us all a favor by entertaining in a very meaningless game.

I look forward to several awkward battles(including lots of posturing) in the future from the both of them, hopefully culminating in a "rematch."

Thanks Vinny.

Swish the Douche, hella wicked, bro!

Is Padilla.  Note the differences.

http://tinyurl.com/25y5f2

someone put it on youtube but its poor quality due to the guy video taping his tv.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nLfIjyqv9E

I still love the guy...and I love the fervor he pitches with on the inside - hit batsmen or not.  Pedro does it, Clemens does it, and it gives them an extra edge.  Maybe I don't like the fact that he does it out of frustration, it'd be nice if it were simply to take them off the outer edge of the plate instead of revenge or due to a lack of mental clarity...but I still love Padilla and I'd rather have him than not, until some of our home-grown talent finally starts throwing some consistent innings.

I wish we would've signed Ted Lilly though...that is my only regret

that was a "I dont want to fight tackle"

...and slightly counterproductive to what most of the Texas fans have been saying.

"Daniels communicated with Oakland general manager Billy Beane on Monday, telling him that Sunday's affair was an isolated incident. Daniels doesn't want this to escalate into a blood feud with the Athletics and Beane agreed with Daniels' assessment on the situation."

How much of an ass are you that your GM has to call the other GM to apologize after beaning one of their players? (The above quote taking directly from the Rangers main site.)

"Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Hank Blalock missed the Rangers' next game with soreness incurred from being at the bottom of the pile trying to break up the fight, a fight which Padilla crawled away from after the benches cleared."

So that WAS Padilla on his knees crawling away from the fight while his teammates scuffled for him. What a douche.

Defending your team is fine, but defending someone who intentionally beans another an opposing player because he's been raking off your team and then crawls away during the fight while his team gets hurt is not only stupid, its pathetic.

I love the Rangers (they're my second favorite team), but dump Padilla and dump the attitude.