Syndegaard would have telegraphed through the press that the first pitch was going be high and tight, and the second one a diving curveball on the outside corner. Then, when the game started, he would have missed over the plate, leading to a triple off the top of the wall, and followed it by bouncing a wild pitch to the second batter, scoring the run.
Bush meanwhile would have kept his plans to himself, startled Rubio at the debate, and set him back on his heels for the rest of the evening.
Syndegaard (after the game): "That's my plate out there, not theirs."
Also: "I just didn't want him getting too comfortable. If they have a problem with me throwing inside, they can meet me 60 feet, 6 inches away."
The Royals afterwards: "Waaaaa!!"
All these quotes are courtesy of Metsblog, although the Royals one is a composite / slight paraphrase.
Now, deliberately beaning a batter - as Clemens did to Piazza - is out of bounds like the Utley slide. Syndegaard would have thrown behind the guy's head - the Clemens MO - had he shared the ugly and vicious Clemens goal. But if the Royals think that throwing high and tight, when hitters have been leaning out over the plate, is anything but totally standard baseball, then they've been watching some other sport than the one I watch (and probably not watching their own pitchers).
UPDATE: Then again, perhaps Syndegaard's last pitch (discussed here) merits more attention than his first.
(After Game 4) - Grudging props to the Royals, what a frustrating team to play. They turn MLB back into a little league game, in which every soft ground ball or flare they hit becomes an adventure.
(After Game 5) - I'm certainly glad I went to sleep after the 7th inning. Easier to get the bad news this morning than watch it unfold in real time.
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