Bobby Jenks: "Yeah, I Was Throwing At That Guy"

Say what you want about Bobby Jenks—and I've muttered some pretty nasty things about him under my breath—at least he's refreshingly honest about his decision to throw a pitch behind Ian Kinsler's back.

Players don't usually like to discuss the in-and-outs of payback pitches. When such incidents do happen, pitchers usually limit their comments to the usual "it is what it is" or "I prefer to let my play do the talking." But when asked about a throw in Saturday's game against the Rangers that ended up behind the batter, Chicago's Bobby Jenks did not mince words:

"Yeah, I wanted to go in and send a message, and I think that message was sent," Jenks said after he had finished up his seventh save in as many opportunities. "Basically, I was saying, 'I'm sick of seeing our guys get hit and hurt and almost get taken out of the game.' I threw it with intention."

Well, that certainly makes Bob Watson's job a lot easier. By the way, Jenks decided to send his important message in the ninth inning of a one-run game, which is always a good time to get chippy.

"With a one-run lead, I didn't want to put anyone on base. I just wanted to say, 'Hey, we can play that game, too.' Other than that, the important thing was getting him out after that pitch."

In other words, if it had been a three- or four-run game, he absolutely would have plunked him.

Jenks threw inside to 'send a message' [MLB]