The Cubs and Reds have a recent history of tumult, a lot of which goes back to multiple incidents of reliever Amir Garrett and Javy Báez not appreciating certain elements of each others’ game. For example, there was an incident where the Cubs took exception to the way Garrett celebrated a strikeout at Báez, and Anthony Rizzo came out to defend his teammate.
I say it that way, because the same thing happened again today, with Garrett giving Rizzo the business, and Báez this time coming out to defend Rizzo. And then the benches emptied:
So, yeah, there’s history there, and that’s why that all happened.
I don’t have a problem with pitchers celebrating big moments, and I don’t even necessarily have a problem with there being some direct gamesmanship between players. But as I watch that interaction, doesn’t it seem like Garrett is just going too far? I can understand how you’d see that – that level of reaction – directed at one of your teammates, and you’d be pissed. Pissed enough to hop the railing and come on out. I respect Báez for doing it this time, just like I respected Rizzo for doing it last time.
Javy Báez let it all out after the game:
Javy Baez on the Reds/Garrett: "I don’t know what’s going on over there but whatever they say, they’re lying. Even his teammates are not on his side. They know he’s wrong."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 2, 2021
More Javy: "I like what he does, he just got to do it to his team and not to us after a strike out. I've hit three homers against him and I didn't do anything to show him up or his team, you know." https://t.co/V7poIeJVQW
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) May 2, 2021
After the game, Cubs manager David Ross was not happy:
Cubs manager David Ross on Reds Amir Garrett's reaction after striking out Rizzo that sparked the benches clearing: "That's his style. I don't agree with it. I think it's garbage, but he's not on my team."
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 1, 2021
Again, I can understand that reaction. I’m down with guys celebrating, like I said, but this just seems like too much, man. And it better not be the case that Javy Báez and the Cubs face significant discipline for this one. I do expect Báez will get some kind of consequence, particularly because of the health and safety protocols, but it better not be one of the BS suspensions MLB has been handing down lately …
Oh, ultimately, the Cubs won the game, by the way. So he who laughs last and all that.