San Francisco Giants' Hunter Strickland contrite, again, after latest meltdown
Jorge L. OrtizSAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Strickland says he doesn’t see himself as an angry guy. There are at least three fellow major leaguers who probably see him in a different light.
The San Francisco Giants reliever was contrite Thursday as he addressed the news media for the first time since breaking his pinkie finger punching a door after coughing up a late lead in Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins.
Strickland also had posted a lengthy apology on Instagram to his teammates, the Giants and their fans.
Not only did Strickland blow the save in giving up three ninth-inning runs Monday, but he went out of his way to verbally confront Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson after the rookie exuberantly celebrated hitting the tying single off Strickland.
The next day, the clubs traded hit-by-pitches, leading to the ejection — and eventual suspensions — of Marlins pitcher Dan Straily and manager Don Mattingly.
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On Thursday, Strickland declined to put any blame for his reaction on Brinson and accepted responsibility for his meltdown, which resulted in an injury that will sideline him for 6-8 weeks.
“This is obviously something I’m struggling with,’’ Strickland said of losing his temper in competition. “I don’t think I have necessarily an anger problem. I truly feel my emotions get the best of me sometimes because I care about what I’m doing. I care because these guys expect me to perform to the best of my ability, and unfortunately I can’t do that every day.’’
The hard-throwing right-hander, who has handled the closer job for the Giants most of the season, has a history of high-profile blowups.
During Game 2 of the 2014 World Series, Strickland gave up a home run to the Kansas City Royals’ Omar Infante and started yelling at baserunner Salvador Perez as he came around to score, prompting the benches to empty.
That was the fifth home run Strickland yielded that postseason. He was twice victimized by the Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper, which so incensed Strickland that the next time he faced Harper — in May of last season, three years later — he plunked him, sparking a huge melee.
“I understand everybody’s perception of me because this is what they see, this is what I’ve been giving them, and I don’t blame them for feeling that way,’’ said Strickland, 29. “I know I’m a better person than that. I know my heart is not that angry guy.’’
Strickland has a 2.84 ERA and converted 13 of 17 save chances. With him out and veteran Mark Melancon still not 100 percent as he bounces back from an elbow flexor strain, San Francisco will mostly lean on Sam Dyson in the ninth inning.
The prospect of letting his teammates down was troubling to Strickland, who said he planned to address them before the night game against the San Diego Padres. He had surgery Tuesday, the same day third baseman Evan Longoria was undergoing a similar procedure after his pinkie was broken by a Straily pitch last week in Miami.
Calling his door-punching tantrum “a stupid decision,’’ Strickland said he would be open to seeking counseling to avoid another such incident.
“I’ll talk to whoever I need to talk to,’’ he said, “attend whatever class, whatever I need to do, to be better.’’
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jorge Ortiz on Twitter @jorgelortiz.
