Last week, one of baseball’s best hitters, Bryce Harper, ripped the sport, calling it “tired” and saying the game’s unwritten rules are holding players back from being able to express themselves. Not surprisingly, Harper’s comments sparked a variety of reactions, ranging from total agreement to strong opposition.
This week, one of baseball’s other best hitters, Mike Trout, sided closer to the latter. The Angels outfielder was asked about his stance on bat-flipping after homering, a polarizing practice in baseball, and he didn’t exactly echo the thoughts of Harper, who believes that the showmanship adds more emotion and spice to the game.
Trout said there is no chance he would flip his bat after a home run, even if he might try it during batting practice every now and then.
“We mess around in the cage and stuff,” he said. “During the game, I just hit the ball and go.
“I go out there and try to respect the game. I go out there and play. My parents always taught me to be humble.”
But what if an opposing pitcher were to fist pump or gesture at Trout after getting him out?
“I don’t try to show anybody up. Whatever somebody else does, that’s what they do.”
Trout’s comments are a little more boring than Harper’s, but he’ll have baseball’s traditionalists on his side with that response. Who knows, maybe it’s good for the sport that two of the best hitters in baseball approach the game so differently. Every story needs a hero and an anti-hero; it’s up to you to decide who is who.
(Via The Los Angeles Times)
