Today's Dish: Hey Yankee, Get Off My Mound!

A's pitcher rips A-Rod's 'etiquette' - FOX Sports on MSN
The problems began in the top of the sixth inning after a single by Rodriguez. Robinson Cano fouled off a pitch and Rodriguez, who was in between second base and third, cut across the pitcher's mound to return to first. "The long and short of it is it's pretty much baseball etiquette. He should probably take a note from his captain over there,'' Braden said, referring to Yankees leader Derek Jeter, "because you don't run across the pitcher's mound in between an inning or during the game. I was just dumbfounded that he would let that slip his mind. "He just told me to get off his mound,'' Rodriguez said. "I was a little surprised. I've never quite heard that, especially from a guy that has a handful of wins in his career. I've never even heard of that in my career and I still don't know. I thought it was pretty funny, actually.''

Three things I took away from this story; 1) I've never heard of not stepping on the mound, although I've never seen a hitter do it, 2) Dallas Braden is a bad-ass and moved up on my favorite player list, 3) A-Rod is a dick.  Do these kind of stories just follow A-Rod around?  The last time he was accused of breaking a baseball etiquette / unwritten rule was when he yelled something as he ran by Blue Jays' third baseman Howie Clark, causing Clark to miss the ball.  If anyone can remember someone else being a bigger bush-league jerk, please comment below.

Bryce Harper’s makeup - The Hardball Times
One scout called him among the worst amateur players he’s ever seen from a makeup standpoint, with top-of-the-scale arrogance, a disturbingly large sense of entitlement, and on-field behavior that includes taunting opponents. "He’s just a bad, bad guy," said one front-office official.

This might just be one person's opinion on Harper.  The Hardball Time article has some rebuttal views within their post that's linked above.  Craig Calcaterra has an interesting take.  He asks does matter if Harper is a jerk.  I think it does, and I'm not going into the "clubhouse chemistry" thing here, I think it may be an insight into what may become a problem further in Harper's career.  Maybe not in the Elijah Dukes sense of problem, but a problem none -the-less.  And remember, it was the Washington Nationals who released Dukes earlier this spring who hold the number one pick.

MORE LINKS AFTER THE BREAK...

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - April 22, 2010
Ryan Braun , Jim Edmonds and the Milwaukee Brewers went totally batty. The Brew Crew piled up 25 hits Thursday and trounced Pittsburgh 20-0, handing the Pirates the most-lopsided loss in their 124-year history. ``Games like these are awkward,'' Edmonds said. ``You don't want to keep piling on the runs but you also have to respect the game and keep playing. It was just a day where everything went right for us and everything went wrong for them.''

MLB's barber blends charisma, clips, charm, with benefits - USATODAY.com
You won't find Pena's name in a program or media guide. He has no background in baseball and is not a trainer, team executive or agent, but he is trusted by virtually every star in the game. Pena, nicknamed "Monster99," is the barber of baseball. "Everybody around the league knows who he is, and everybody loves him," says Ortiz, who has a barber chair in his garage courtesy of Pena. "Everybody is cool with him because he's so cool. I'm telling you, he's got a relationship with everyone."

Baseball's barber to the stars talks fades, waves, edges and eyebrows -  USATODAY.com
Pena was on a plane to go back home after the All-Star Game in St. Louis last year when he got a frantic call. It was from Lopez. "Dude, I just got traded to Milwaukee,'' Lopez said. "I need a haircut.'' Pena: "I'm on a plane. I can't just get off. I may not get my money back.'' Lopez: "I don't care. I'll take care of it. Just get off the plane. I need that haircut.'' Pena got off the plane, and Lopez got his haircut.

USAToday is making a pretty big deal about this guy with two articles.  It's a somewhat interesting story, but to have two postings?  Anyway, how much do you think it cost Lopez for the haircut after having to pay for the guy's flight and all?