Let’s Make America Great Again…wait this isn't politics…what I meant to say was Let’s Make Baseball Fun Again. Bryce Harper, donning a “Make Baseball Fun Again” hat that closely resembles the all too familiar Donald Trump “Make America Great Again” hat, has been making headliners in the sports and baseball world with his play and accomplishments on the field, and his words off the field. Recently suspended for cursing out an umpire after being ejected from a game against the Detroit Tigers last week, Harper is one of many players this week to act up a little bit.
http://www.thesportskave.com/what-happened-to-base...
Never one too shy away from the media, especially on opening day of the baseball season. This is the new movement that 23-year-old reigning National League MVP and current Washington Nationals slugger started this year. The movements goal? To bring back the fun and energy that made baseball Americas pastime. Unfortunately, Bryce Harper can’t make Baseball fun again all by himself, especially when other teams wont even pitch to him (Yes, Joe Maddon, I’m talking about your Cubs). Strategizing to win the game is great, but the 30,000+ fans who come to the games want too see the best hitter in baseball hit, not walk.
Fortunately for us baseball fans, and of course boxing and UFC fans alike, we all got to see Toronto Blue Jays’, Jose Bautista get roughed up by Texas Rangers, Rougned Odors’ right hand. (Pun Intended) To lead off the 8th inning with a 7-6 lead, Texas Rangers Pitcher, Matt Bush nailed Jose Bautista with a 96mph fastball in the ribs. One batter later, Bautista had his chance for revenge when Justin Smoak hit a double play ground ball to Adrian Beltre. The 35-year-old Bautista slid hard into the young 22-year-old Odor at second base in a vengeful attempt to break up the play. Odor took exception to the slide, especially with the new rules created this season to protect fielders from intentional slides at there legs. Now whether you saw it on on SportsCenter, your local sports news, or on the internet, it was exciting. Yes, I know, fighting in baseball, heck even society it is frowned upon, but you know what, its getting people excited about the game again.
Last year in the playoffs Jose Bautista hit a memorable go-ahead three-run home run against the Rangers, in which his bat flip was the center of attention. He was showing his emotion as he stated in follow up interviews, he was having fun with the game and was letting out his emotions. This was a stepping stone in making baseball fun again. Unfortunately, many current and former players are not happy with these on the field celebrations and have public discourage the use. I for one love seeing the pure emotion and heart that these players express when playing the game.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, a local from Stony Brook, had some choice words for Rougned Odor, saying on twitter that he had "Zero respect for Odor. Never had respect for him, never will."
https://twitter.com/mstrooo6/status/73197366163322...You can love it or you can hate it but this new generation of baseball players is Making Baseball Fun Again.
