3 Takeaways from a wholly anti-climactic Atlanta Braves season-ender
1. Win With Dignity and Lose With Dignity
By most accounts, it seems that the Atlanta Braves did their part here to do the right things after Game 5.
Sure, many of them more-or-less seemed to be going through the motions a bit after getting down in the game so far so quickly, but that came not from a lack of hustle but from being shell-shocked. They didn’t quit.
However, there’s the Cardinals. Normally, a celebration for winning a big series like this earns some leash in behavior. However, there were some recorded remarks from Manager Mike Shildt that were way beyond any semblance of decorum or decency.
He not only crossed the line of sportsmanship, but he shredded it into tiny pieces in part by suggesting that the Braves had started ‘something’ that they ‘finished’.
It’s unclear what he meant… whether that involved points of the series between Ronald Acuna and some of their pitchers (that seems most likely) or something else… we just don’t really know.
Of course there was his own pitcher blowing a kiss at Billy Hamilton. Perhaps Shildt is showing he has a bit of a filter when he observes on-field antics?
I won’t play you this video here. It’s adult-only material and that’s not what we’re about here. If you are curious enough, there’s the link and it comes with a warning about inappropriate content.
Randy decided to take it upon himself to record the post-game locker room speech on his IG by Shildt and let’s just say it was not PG for the kids at home. And something that Shildt will have to deal with moving forward. #Rookies
— Matt McCumber (@ILL_Texan) October 10, 2019
The “Randy” is Cardinals outfielder Randy Arozarena, who ended up outing his own classless manager.
Many on the internet – mostly Cardinals’ supporters – seem to be okay with what was said with some suggesting it was essentially common among clubhouse speeches. Possible, but I hope not.
This incident also comes on the heels of Jack Flaherty hitting Ronald Acuna tonight and saying things that essentially sounded like he was trying to blame the victim.
Here’s what Jack Flaherty had to say about the pitch that hit Ronald Acuña Jr. in the bottom of the fifth: #stlcards pic.twitter.com/lw6C0i3JIw
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) October 10, 2019
So this final Takeaway? Sportsmanship is still part of our game of baseball. The Cardinals have been trying to make people believe they play the game the right way for their entire existence as a franchise.
These events Wednesday night paint a different picture… and also sets up a future that the Atlanta Braves will definitely remember.
dark. Next. Hanging up the Harness
There may be some dust on some of those red-and-white uniforms at various times next season.