NEWSLETTER
Marlon Byrd was the unsung (well, he was a little sung) hero of Tuesday’s National League All-Star Game win. He battled in a long 7th inning at bat, which led to a walk, extended the inning, and eventually yielded the winning runs.
Then, in the 9th inning, protecting a two run lead, Byrd made a tremendous play in right field – where he does not regularly play – taking a bloop fly ball on the hop, wheeling, and firing a one-bounce strike to second base to cut down David Ortiz. Who was coming from first.
You’d think everyone on the NL All-Star team would be grateful for Byrd’s performance, particularly those players who are on teams that actually have a chance to make the World Series, where Byrd had just helped win them home field advantage.
But nope. Not Joey Votto.
“I don’t like the Cubs,” Votto said. “And I’m not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back. But because he made that really cool play, it turned out to be a really cool experience. I’m really glad we got the win today.” ESPN Chicago.
What the hell was Votto thinking? I get that the Cubs are a division rival, but when you’re on an All-Star team, working together to win for your league – for the first time in 15 years, mind you – it’s ridiculous to think of your teammates as the enemy.
He’s either monumentally stupid or a monumental douche. Votto’s huge 2010 season following a 2009 season where he struggled with anxiety issues had been one of the better stories this year. Now, he can floss my butt.
UPDATE: According to Paul Sullivan, Marlon Byrd says he talked to Votto more than anyone else during the All-Star weekend, and believes that Votto was just kidding. Hard to tell without hearing the tone – if he was kidding, feel free to take a dump on ESPN Chicago’s Bruce Levine for not picking up on the joke.
