Chris Russo took his own swing at Fernando Tatis Jr., scandalizing the San Diego Padres superstar for his controversial grand slam Monday night while comparing the star shortstop to an NBA player.
Tatis swung on a 3-0 field with the bases loaded and his team up seven runs against the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning, and suddenly broke the so-called “unwritten rules” of baseball calling a hitter to not be in that situation to swing or run up the score.
Although many former and current baseball players and fans defended one of the emerging faces of the sport, the longtime former WFAN voice taunted Tatis Jr. for taking his manager’s take sign to leave the field.
‘No matter what you think about the game score, despite what you think about the idea that Tatis hit a grand slam and he’s fun to watch, and he’s kind of an NBA man who plays baseball, a boy enthusiastic … he needs to take signs from his manager, ”Russo said on his MLB Network show,“ High Heat. ”
Tatis indicated after the 14-4 route that he did not notice the sign, and on Tuesday apologized for hitting what was his league-leading 11th home run. In baseball, it is sometimes not advisable to swing at a 3-0 pitch, as then the hitter risks an out as opposed to waiting for a walk.
The 60-year-old Russo who is having problems with the 21-year-old Tatis is symbolic of a growing baseball distribution, which torments traditionalists, who prefer players to business, compared to a new generation of players like Tatis, who flip the ball home runs and are not afraid to show their personality on the field.
“I believe in respecting authority,” Russo said.
Tatis’ manager Jayce Tingler, who has worked in the Rangers organization for the past 14 seasons, and Rangers manager Chris Woodward each criticized Tatis for his decision to swing on the field.
Woodward was suspended for one game after Texas pitcher Ian Gibaut threw right behind the grand slam behind Manny Machado. Gibaut was banned for three games but is appealing.
Tatis, the son of a great leaguer, had the support of two baseball legends, Reggie Jackson and Johnny Bench, while it seemed that Russo was in the minority.
‘That you take a pitch … now you’re 3-1. Then the pitcher comes back with a great set up pitch … 3-2. Now you are ready to start in a double play. Everyone would have to go 3-0. Grand Slams are an enormous stat, ‘Bench tweeted, probably referring to the fact that baseball players’ contracts often include bonuses for stats like home games and grand slams.
Mr. October tweeted, “Fernando Tatis continues to play hard and play great, it’s a pleasure to see you play, love your success and stand up for the Padres to become a winner. Stay on the road. It’s not easy to hit Hrs. Keep bringing energy you have to the game, we have players just like you. In All Star. ”
There were others who pointed out that no lead is safe in today’s game.
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