Should Hamels Have Been Suspended?

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels has been suspended for five games for intentionally hitting Bryce Harper. Hamels intentionally threw at the Washington Nationals' rookie Harper during the Phillies' 9-3 win on Sunday. Hamels also has less money in his wallet now courtesy of a fine from MLB and commissioner Bud Selig. What made Hamels' act even worse besides his big arm? His big mouth.

"I was trying to hit him," the former All-Star admitted to the media. "I'm not going to deny it. I'm not trying to injure the guy. They're [MLB] probably not going to like me for it, but I'm not going to say I wasn't trying to do it. I think they understood the message, and they threw it right back. That's the way, and I respect it."

Obviously, the MLB didn't respect the way Hamels nearly injured a player. Nor must they have liked him admitting it as well. Baseball is a game about toughness and respect. But should we expect teams to have pitchers intentionally hit players to send a message? It's been going on in baseball for year, but with the MLB cracking down on this case, it could make a pitcher in Cole Hamels' shoes think twice about what they do -- and say.