Noah Syndergaard Says Purpose Pitch in World Series Doesn't Warrant Retaliation

NJ.com:

Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard said Wednesday that he doesn't believe the purpose pitch he hurled at Alcides Escobar in Game 3 of the World Series justifies retaliation from the Kansas City Royals during their upcoming rematch on Opening Night at Kauffman Stadium. 

Syndergaard rankled the Royals last fall by throwing a 98-mph fastball up and in to Escobar to open Game 3, the only meeting the Mets won. A Newsday story published Tuesday reported that the Royals were still upset by the incident and "have been quietly signaling their intent to seek retribution" against the Mets on Sunday. 

"I don't think they're too fond of me, but as far as retaliation goes, I really don't know what they're going to retaliate against," Syndergaard said following the Mets' 12-1 loss to the Washington Nationals. "All I did was establish the inner part of the plate. So I don't know what this whole retaliation talk is all about. But it's going to be an interesting time.

"I simply threw a pitch on the inside corner. Elevated. A purpose pitch. I don't really see how any retaliation could be made."

This shouldn't even be news, But hey, it's still spring training so the media is desperate for headlines and thanks to the stupidity of interleague play, the Royals and Mets are facing each other to start off the season. Bottom line, Syndergaard did nothing wrong but establish the inside of the plate with that pitch which asa pitcher is something he's probably long been taught to do. He didn't hit anyone and he certainly didn't show anybody up, which would've really dumb when you consider that the Mets were down two games to nothing at the time. Instead he made a statement with that pitch and went on to pitch a great game to get his team back in the series, which in case any Royal is really thinking about retaliating by the way...Kansas City went on to win. So there's your payback right there. Now it's time to move on.