Pitchers are allowed to be fat, slow and ugly. We think it might actually be a requirement. But, usually fat and ugly dudes can handle their biz in a brawl. When you’re a 6 foot, 170 pound relief pitcher in the Major Leagues, the last thing you want people to think is that you’re a wuss. Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Jose Ascanio isn’t doing a good job of that. He was caught—a few times—by a pan-handler’s fists this weekend when Ascanio couldn’t offer the guy a few bucks.

“He got punched a few times by a guy who was looking for some money,” Piniella said.

Piniella said the assailant escaped without being arrested. He did not know if Ascanio had filed a police report. Ascanio was taken to a local hospital and was treated and released, the Cubs said.

“He didn’t get robbed,” Piniella said. “The guy asked for money, and evidently [Ascanio] said, ‘I don’t have any money,’ and the guy punched him a few times. So he went over to the hospital. His [left] eye was closed, and he had some swelling on the left side of his face.”

That’s the kind of confidence slayer that’ll send you back to AA ball. At least he’ll have his teammates full protection when he accidentally beans Prince Fielder during the home opener and the sloth charges the mound.

Cubs reliever punched in mugging attempt [Chicago Tribune]
Image [MLB]