All right, I'll admit right off the bat that this sounded a lot worse when I first heard it, but it's still ridiculous. Also, props to the play-by-play announcer Joe Davis, who doesn't pile on, but Orel Hershiser are you kidding me? (I think it was Orel, someone please confirm)
During Wednesday's 4-0 win by the Chicago Cubs over the Los Angeles Dodgers, LA's broadcast crew brought up the defense being played by the Cubs. It was right after Jason Heyward threw out Chris Taylor at home plate, as Willson Contreras made a great tag to complete the double play. Anyway, the Dodgers announcers were actually complimenting the Cubs and their defense, but then we got some buzz words going.
Again, it is possible I'm looking way too into this, but plenty of people are agreeing with me because it really sounds like Hershiser was kind of annoyed at how the Cubs act when they make great plays on defense.
He brings up the "bat flip mentality" the Cubs have as defenders, describing a Javier Baez play during Tuesday night's game. Here's the thing, it's not over the top and Hershiser isn't flat out saying he hates that the Cubs have fun, but to me it does sound like he's a tad bit annoyed.
The kicker is, Hershiser then brings up Contreras and claims the only reason the Cubs catcher called for a trainer was so that fans could see him being treated on the field after getting a bloody mouth.
C'mon dude. Take a listen and decide for yourself.
"I think it's fun," at the 50-second mark is from Joe Davis. Thank you. It's not near the level of bad like we've heard in the past from basically every other NL Central broadcast team, whining about the Cubs, but if Hershiser wasn't at least kind of annoyed by the Cubs why even bring it up or phrase it that they like to rub it in. How about the Cubs are just having fun and whatever they do has nothing to do with the other team?
By the way, here's the play he was talking about from Tuesday night's game.
And hey, if Hershiser didn't mean anything negative when referencing a bat flip mentality, then good because there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. But c'mon, we've entered the world where some think the Cubs are now showing off on defense. lol Also...
UPDATE Turns out it wasn't meant as a diss at all.
Whoops! Did I just jump to conclusions? Yes I did. Hand up, this one's on me. Move along. There is one thing that still doesn't add up, though.
Hmmm. Still think there was a little annoyance.
