The list of people who have publicly condemned the home run Yermín Mercedes hit on an 3-0 pitch off a position player in a blowout win Monday night in Minnesota so far consists of White Sox manager Tony La Russa, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, and Twins broadcasters Dick Bremer and Roy Smalley.
A few others across baseball have chimed in, as well, but with differing opinions, including the folks over at “White Sox Pregame Live.”
Former White Sox player and current analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, Frank Thomas, weighed into the discussion on Tuesday’s pregame show.
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“This is Major League Baseball,” Thomas said. “You go up there, you’re here to do well.” … So I’m sorry, the unwritten rules have changed [a lot]."
It’s a fabulous point. These are athletes fighting for roster spots, contract extensions and sponsorship deals, and they shouldn’t be asked to sacrifice their stat lines for social graces.
Thomas went on describe how baseball has evolved over the years, and said that with more position players pitching in blowout games now than in years past, it’s only natural that hitters aren’t as willing to sit on a mouthwatering pitch.
“I understood it last night,” Thomas said. “Yes, a 3-0 is something you don’t do, historically. But the game has changed. Let the kids have fun. Let’s do bat flips. Let’s take selfies running down the line. Let’s do all craziness. Bottom line is the game has changed. Let the kids have fun. That was a fun moment last night.”
Another athlete who gave his two cents about the unwritten rules of baseball was LA Dodgers pitcher, and reigning NL Cy Young winner, Trevor Bauer, who said anyone “mad about a hitter hitting” should “get out of the game.”
San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Wood entered the chat, as well.
And we already know how White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson feels about “changing the game,” but just in case anyone was unfamiliar with Anderson’s modernized style of play, he took to Instagram to publicly support his teammate.
At its core, the controversy of a baseball player playing baseball is absolutely wild in itself.
MLB
So I would like to propose an officially “written” rule for MLB to consider: “A rule unwritten shall not be followed nor enforced.”
Related: Twins throw behind Mercedes after controversial home run
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