Defending Yourself Against 72 Year-Olds

Don Zimmer; Photo - AP

To a relatively brawl free Game 5.

Don Zimmer wearing a combat helmet after being beaned in the head. Today, Clyde Haberman asks, of Mayor Bloomberg's strong words about Pedro Martinez, "Was Mr. Bloomberg calling it a crime for a young person, however dopey he may be, to defend himself against a 72-year-old � and a rather large 72-year-old at that � who comes storming his way at full tilt?" Yes, that's an important question to pose. What would Gothamist do? And more importantly, when is the computer game "Dodge or Throw Down Zimmer" coming?

Great home video of The Shove That Launched A Million Articles. [via Frankenstein]

Read Zim: A Baseball Life

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By Jen Chung on October 14, 2003 3:55 PM

Comments [rss]

Jellyguy

Seeing as I had a date go quite sour yesterday evening, here is my take: someone attacks you, you defend yourself. And if he's some codger suffering through some Maalox-induced Normandy flashback, then you smash his freaking head in and kick him when he's down, because if he actually WAS at Normandy, then he is still one dangerous S.O.B., and you never give guys like that a chance to take a swing at you, unless of course you enjoy hospital food and assless gowns.

Abba

He did not gently push anyone aside, he grabbed a very old man by the sides of his head and threw him to the ground so hard that the old man rolled several times. Telling a different version of the story doesn't work when it's been caught on film, genius.

fernando

So dude, what was he supposed to do?? Avoid the charge by using his super powers to fly up into the air at the last moment? The guy did the only thing he could "other" than hit him, he pushed him aside. Personally I commend him for just pushing the guy aside, relatively gently I might add, rather than being the prick you claim his is and slugging the guy in the face. He had every right to, but he didn't. Give the guy some credit.

West Coaster

Just in case there's someone out there who doesn't really follow b-ball, the WWI helmet photo is from 1999 when Zimmer was hit in the head by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout and then decided he needed protective covering. Har!

But who can really predict what they would do in a similar situation? Ok, if A) I felt like my life was in danger, or B) the person charging at me was someone who had deeply wronged me and I was irate, sure I'd try to take 'em by the ears and throw 'em down, no matter their age or ability. But over a ball game? Under the eyes of millions? All due to something I started? All four who were fined acted wrongly, but Pedro's behavior was the worst.

doshin

The slippery slope goes both ways. Is it now okay to throw butchy women on the ground in self defense? What about tall children?

I would be willing to wager that most people who say Pedro rightly defended himself have never been in a fight in their lives. Sometimes you have to take your lumps and sucker punches first, especially if it means not hurting the elderly, women or children.

Whatever though, Number One Yankee Fan Bloomberg who grew up minutes away from Fenway is full of shit. And if he truly is a Yankee fan, he is something much worse.

But really, I'm not jaded.

RIO

wow, having seen that video, it clearly looks like zimmer was about to punch the younger guy. 72 year olds, watch yer ass, I won't turn the other cheek either. ;^)