“Stop being excited competitors that weren’t actually hurting anyone and were simply being real, in the moment, and entertaining.”
That might as well be the message MLB sends out if Javy Báez is actually punished for his walk-off last night:
David Ross said he’s heard from MLB following Javier Báez’s walk-off celebration and stare down of Reds’ Garrett. As for the possibility of a suspension, Ross said: “Sure, there’s one possible.” #Cubs #Reds
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 27, 2021
Báez absolutely jawed at Amir Garrett before and after the walk-off hit. He swept his bat – a reference to Garrett doing the sweeping motion in their last Reds sweep – at Garrett. And then he spiked his bat down (not AT Garrett, as some have suggested). It was big and over-the-top, without question:
Talk the talk, walk the walk. pic.twitter.com/QZq4ko6ODF
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 27, 2021
But no one was at risk there. If everyone just did their thing – as they did! – then it’s all simply theater. And theater is good!
I think a lot of Reds fans were pissed off about Báez’s thing last night because of the Nick Castellanos suspension after he DARED to celebrate in the vicinity of Yadi Molina. But we Cubs fans were ticked about that, too! We didn’t think Castellanos’s punishment made sense either!
If the Commissioner’s Office contacted the team about Báez, that almost certainly means some punishment is coming. Even though nothing happened. Even though it was hilarious and fun.