Steve B, Guys on the Sideline Contributor
There are not many baseball events on August 15th of any year to draw the attention of the public, but in 2018, one such event captivated a town. Ronald Acuna Jr., on the cusp of leadoff HR history at age 20 having already accomplished the record of youngest MLB player to hit a home run in 5 consecutive games, is slotted first in the line-up. His competition in the form of Jose Urena was seemingly mismatched. I move to the edge of my seat awaiting the first pitch. The delivery is a 97 mph fastball to the inside, moving far inside. It hits him… A 97 mph fastball to the elbow… I’m on my feet now. My kids are screaming at the TV.
In the following moments, not as chaotic as revenge filled Braves fans were anticipating, I attempted to rationalize the pathetic display of playa hating I had just witnessed. Thank you Brian Snitaker for reminding me of Mike Gundy’s famous quote, “Come after me, I’m a man”. While you’re not still 40, I hope that’s what you yelled at the Marlins. Let’s remember, Jose had options if he wanted to not put up a fight. Down in the dirt, behind the back, or perhaps an intentional walk. If he didn’t want to give up a home run, than man-up and throw a pitch Acuna can’t hit. Doing something that makes Keith Hernandez, and only Keith Hernandez, defend you on air, is not a good place to be. Jose, I’ve got a friend in PR that you should speak with.
But perhaps there’s more to this story than on-field storyline. I now see this as nothing more than Mr. Jeter, Mr. November, The Yankee Godfather, Steinbrenner “Del Sur” attempting to create a winning mentality in his organization. I would not be surprised if he himself sent a text to Urena saying, “We don’t allow people to make history off of us. Do what you have to do” while Godfather music played overhead in his executive suite. It could have been fellow carpetbagger Don Mattingly too. Nothing surprises me with agents of the evil empire after 1996 and 1999.
Mr. Jeter, if you are looking for an interdivision rivalry, you’ve got it. Great teams need a nemesis as you learned in New York. Braves fans already hate the Yankee empire [I refuse to follow the spell check prompt to capitalize the “e” in empire], but now we get to hate the evil empire “del sur”. Brave fans will gladly be like your Bostonian nemesis. That’s where Brave fans began. I hate you Nationals, I hate you Mets, and I don’t even want to know you Phillies and I hate your guts. Urena and the Marlins are now the worst of the worst, winners of the The Playa Haters’ Ball award. But that’s how you like it Mr. Jeter, don’t you. Let the glorious rivalry begin.