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All right, I’ll admit right off the bat that this sounded a lot worse when I first heard it, but it’s still ridiculous. Also, props to the play-by-play announcer Joe Davis, who doesn’t pile on, but Orel Hershiser are you kidding me? (I think it was Orel, someone please confirm)
During Wednesday’s 4-0 win by the Chicago Cubs over the Los Angeles Dodgers, LA’s broadcast crew brought up the defense being played by the Cubs. It was right after Jason Heyward threw out Chris Taylor at home plate, as Willson Contreras made a great tag to complete the double play. Anyway, the Dodgers announcers were actually complimenting the Cubs and their defense, but then we got some buzz words going.
Again, it is possible I’m looking way too into this, but plenty of people are agreeing with me because it really sounds like Hershiser was kind of annoyed at how the Cubs act when they make great plays on defense.
He brings up the “bat flip mentality” the Cubs have as defenders, describing a Javier Baez play during Tuesday night’s game. Here’s the thing, it’s not over the top and Hershiser isn’t flat out saying he hates that the Cubs have fun, but to me it does sound like he’s a tad bit annoyed.
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The kicker is, Hershiser then brings up Contreras and claims the only reason the Cubs catcher called for a trainer was so that fans could see him being treated on the field after getting a bloody mouth.
Bloody Willson Contreras pic.twitter.com/Ou4lyTOHGc
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) June 20, 2018
C’mon dude.
Take a listen and decide for yourself.
Here's 1 minute of #Dodgers announcers seemingly whining about the #Cubs "bat flip mentality as defenders" and saying Willson Contreras called the trainers out so the fans could see him being treated on the field. pic.twitter.com/tvOjkQxffW
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) June 21, 2018
“I think it’s fun,” at the 50-second mark is from Joe Davis. Thank you.
It’s not near the level of bad like we’ve heard in the past from basically every other NL Central broadcast team, whining about the Cubs, but if Hershiser wasn’t at least kind of annoyed by the Cubs why even bring it up or phrase it that they like to rub it in.
How about the Cubs are just having fun and whatever they do has nothing to do with the other team?
If I'm being generous, one guy kinda sounds like he was trying to turn this into a compliment. But the overall tenor was ridiculous. The Cubs are really good and like to have fun with each other. News at freaking 11.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 21, 2018
By the way, here’s the play he was talking about from Tuesday night’s game.
El Mago #Cubs pic.twitter.com/Eu16iH8yny
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) June 20, 2018
And hey, if Hershiser didn’t mean anything negative when referencing a bat flip mentality, then good because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.
But c’mon, we’ve entered the world where some think the Cubs are now showing off on defense. lol
Also…
Literally one game earlier. pic.twitter.com/WGzrEbqpPv
— Not Jed Hoyer (@FauxJedHoyer) June 21, 2018
UPDATE
Turns out it wasn’t meant as a diss at all.
here you go https://t.co/RPE5EHSzFK
— Perla (@badatnames_) June 21, 2018
Yes we definitely enjoyed watching them and their mentality. “Bat flip mentality” isn’t inherently negative.
— Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) June 20, 2018
Total compliment
— Orel Hershiser (@OrelHershiser) June 20, 2018
Whoops! Did I just jump to conclusions?
Yes I did. Hand up, this one’s on me. Move along.
There is one thing that still doesn’t add up, though.
That doesn't address the weird turn the commentary took when talking about the Contreras injury.
— Katie Casey Was Baseball Mad (@farnorthsider) June 21, 2018
Hmmm. Still think there was a little annoyance.
