Mike Gonzalez, the new "rocker" in the Braves bullpen?

[maymay1209]

he looks drunk!! go braves!!

[jjjhs08]

he doesnt do this to distract hitters...pitchers just have different motions they are used to and feel comfortable doing...any major league hitter can pick up on a pitchers motion after several at bats..he just does it cause hes used to it

[MrRavensrule1989]

WOW why don't u just marry him.

[jerrell1806]

he must not be too distracting cuz the Phillies just hit two homers in a row off his ass

[CKYTMBeRule]

You mean while the Phillies were busy getting sweept by the Braves?

[jerrell1806]

Yea that series lol

[spamererisback]

Yet still got sweeped

[jerrell1806]

i was saying that because ppl were calling him a distraction don't get it twisted kid im a down south man born and raised and i love the Braves. thanks for replying...as if i cared

[cantdenyit718]

lol the cobra

[cjdobbs42285]

All you hating jizz buckets can go screw! - If any batter is 'distracted' by his Gonzalez's pitching style, that batter sucks. Simple as that. Mike does not remove his foot from the pivot point, and if the opposing team studies game tape on Mike before a series, they know exactly what to expect. Furyk is one of the best PGA golfers in the world, and he has an unbelievably strange swing style...

I'll be the first to say Gonzalez looks crazy as a shit house rat on the mound, but he has talent!

[mdmrz9]

what a stupid tool. i hope someone hits a line drive into his face.

[maxpapic]

Let's go Bravos! ...even though this guy doesn't convince me.

Coxx 4 president!

[cmason87]

no it can't he doesn't make a step towards the plate, and a balk has to have a throw...lol.

[BiteMeStudios]

From the list of "balkable" offenses: "while pitching, removes his pivot foot from the pitching rubber, except to pivot or as a natural consequence of stepping forward to release the pitch" When you look at his delivery close up, he has to reposition his feet before he pivots to throw the ball. In doing so, he removes his foot from the rubber briefly. The question becomes "Is this reposition part of the pivot or preceding the pivot?" So, depending on how you interpret, it could be a balk.

[coolroyos]

what a joke..baseball should make him stop that crab  to distracting...

[pmr2011]

This might be an illegal delivery--each of Gonzalez's rocks looks almost exactly like the start of his actual delivery, and the rules specify that once a pitcher has made a natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter he is committed to throw the pitch. See rule 8.01a and b.

It wouldn't be a balk, which by definition requires runners on base (but NOT a throw, cmason), but it would be an illegal pitch and an automatic ball pending the outcome of the pitch.

[mranonam]

Even if it's not illegal, it certainly is chickenshit and an obvious compensation for a lack of talent.

[jjjhs08]

how is that chickenshit? what are you even talking about? compensation for a lack of talent? first of all, hes extremely talented and has put up great numbers in his career...secondly, how is this rocking before going into his windup supposed to compensate him? its just his motion...

[mranonam]

Why would he need to do it? I've pitched and I'm sure you have too. Starting your windup and then stopping several times is not natural. I don't see why he would have to do it unless he needed to gain an edge.

It's legal so whatever. I just don't really appreciate it.

[jjjhs08]

yeah, i understand where you're coming from, but i dont think its really making a huge difference in the end, major league hitters can get used to any motion, thats why a lot of the pitchers with odd windups from japan were good only their first couple years

[dawnraymarie]

mike gonzalez stopped rocking and he needs to rock again ...when he rocked he struck them out ...he rocked four times before he pitched and got them out ...rock somemore mike please to win

[ichowchabella]

Saw him tonight . Consistent 94 - 95 mph and quite the wind delivery indeed

[soccershorty0201]

Haha he's amazing...I actually think I can see me behind the home plate area. Great game.

[mirz5]

lol his delivery is hilarious