We Warned You Not to Violate Rule 21-b

There's been a lot in the news this week about Torii Hunter, who violated rule 21-b by sending champagne bottles to the Royals, after they beat the Tigers last year to give the Twins the AL Central crown (the AL Wild Card Tigers went on to capture the AL pennant, btw). Violating this rule, according to the rulebook, mandates ineligibility for no less than three years.

Though he didn't fully follow through on his gesture, Hunter had four bottles of champagne sent to Mike Sweeney's stall in the Kansas City clubhouse when the Twins were there over the weekend. The commissioner's office informed the team on Monday of the violation, and general manager Terry Ryan straightened the situation out with the Royals. The unopened bottles were to be sent back to Minnesota. "There isn't any harm done. There's nobody that benefited from anything. I think it's a good reminder about the integrity of the game," Ryan said Tuesday.

MLB has yet to take any action or make any comment on this situation, so Hunter's fate was unknown. And then, today, Hunter was hit in the mouth by a Zack Greinke pitch, and needed a towel to wipe up the blood. Eek.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Twins star Torii Hunter was hit in the mouth by a pitch from Kansas City's Zack Greinke on Thursday and was taken to a hospital for further examination.

Leading off the bottom of the second inning, Hunter took a 2-2 fastball directly to the mouth. After gathering himself, he took a couple of steps toward Greinke.

Hunter then dropped to the turf near home plate as manager Ron Gardenhire and Twins medical staff ran onto the field.

A stunned-looking Hunter needed a towel to clean up the blood, and Greinke and Royals infielders came over to check on him. After a few minutes, Hunter walked off the field on his own power and received a standing ovation.

Hunter began the day with a 12-game hitting streak and was tied for the major league lead with 13 doubles. He was batting .315 and tied for the team leads with four home runs and 16 RBIs.

This just goes to prove the point that Bud Selig has way too much power. What a barbaric punishment.