Not surprisingly the response to us pointing out that MLB allowed the Yankees to violate Rule 3.17 has been mixed. Yes it was a highly emotional moment. And yes it was a beautiful sentiment bestowed on someone who will be a Hall of Famer. None of that is in question here.
The point is MLB is not consistent in how or why it enforces its own rules. My friend Tom commented on Facebook:
MLB sometimes is willing to bend the rules for special circumstances. Like for instance when a NY team asks to wear first responder hats during a game on 9/11 to honor the heroes of 9/11 and the memory of that teams first historic game back, which brought baseball back to the masses and a slight sense of normalcy to the world…..oh wait….never mind.
Others have pointed this out on Twitter as well. The fact that a former Yankee manager is MLB’s rules enforcer seems to only lend credence to the Yankees getting special treatment.
Others have pointed out and speculated that last night’s moment did not impact MLB monetarily, but allowing the Mets to wear 9/11 first responder caps during a game would.
If you are going to bend the rules, fine, but be consistent and fair about it. Right now in New York, MLB is being neither.
While I agree with those people your post came off as nit-picking, you are right that this has to be applied consistently. I think your comparison of Rivera to Johan was comparing apples to oranges. However, your point equating the First Responder’s Caps to Mariano is on point. These are two instances MLB can look the other way and let what’s best about baseball come out.
This isn’t about the Yankees getting to bend the rules (appropriately, IMO, after approval by the umps and the opposing team), it’s about the lameness of our beloved Mets.
If the Wilpons had ANY **lls, they would have sent the team out in the caps, fines be damned.
I read that MLB wasn’t involved. Girardi went to the umpire before the inning. As one friend said, I guess it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. (Or, to use another analogy, if Mom says no, go ask Dad.)