The MLB has disappointed fans in recent memory. First, it was the light sentencing of the Houston Astros who remain World Series champions despite concocting one of the most intricate cheating schemes in recent history. Then it was the totally botched plan for keeping players and coaches safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
MLB somehow pulled it together and we have baseball on our televisions again. Now people, including some inside the baseball world, have a problem with the sport’s “unwritten rules”. Rising star Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a grand slam on a 3-0 pitch to put the Padres up 14-3. Most opposing teams would take the L and get ready for tomorrow’s game. The Texas Rangers took it personally.
Rangers manager Chris Woodward particularly felt Tatis Jr. broke baseball’s “unwritten rules” swinging on a 3-0 pitch. Next batter Manny Machado had to deal with the “consequences”. Pitcher Ian Gibaut threw behind Machado to send a message that he didn’t like Tatis Jr. hitting one out of the park. Following the game, MLB suspended Woodward and Gibaut for throwing behind Machado in retaliation.
The only unwritten rule of baseball is to be the better team on the field that day. Period.
It’s been such a melancholy year for all of us, why take the joy out of baseball? If Gibaut and his teammates are unhappy, then don’t let him beat you on a 3-0 pitch. You don’t want the batter to smack the ball out of the park? Make. A. Better. Pitch. How can you be mad at the hitter?
Tatis Jr. actually apologized for hitting the grand slam! Can you believe in 2020 a professional baseball player had to apologize for hitting a home run because of “unwritten rules”? Yet the people in power never apologize for anything, but I digress. That’s another issue we need to worry about on November 3.
Despite apologizing, Tatis Jr. definitely didn’t hold back in the following game. With San Diego up 6-0, Tatis stole third base. He also changed his walk-up song to “Cry Me A River” by Justin Timberlake so he’s enjoying the moment. Why not? He is one of the top hitters this season with eleven HRs and 28 RBIs. He leads the league in both stats.
Baseball’s Stars Stand with Tatis Jr.
To be fair not everyone in baseball felt Tatis Jr. had broken any “rules”. A lot of MLB players had Tatis Jr.’s back and weren’t afraid to post it on social media.
