The Mets have this young stud outfielder named Lastings Milledge. And with an injury to Xavier Nady, he’s been called up. And yesterday, Milledge hit a solo home run to tie the game in the 10th inning. When he ran out to take the field in the 11th, he made a stop along the way to high-five some fans sitting near the field.
And he’s been reprimanded for this. “It will not happen again,” says Mets manager Willie Randolph. Well… why the hell not?
Did Major League Baseball pass some sort of anti-happiness legislation in the off-season? I really don’t see the problem here… even the Sportscenter guys last night were saying, “Hey, you’re not in Norfolk anymore.” Is this interpreted as a sign of disrespect to the opposing pitcher? Is it just because a rookie shouldn’t be drawing that much attention to himself? What unwritten rule is there here that I am not aware of?
Because to me, it seemed like a pretty slick thing to do. It’s a young and excited guy, happy to be where he is, happy to have done what he did, spreading some love amongst the Shea faithful. Apparently, the young man finds baseball and competition exciting. It’s a crazy, maverick attitude to have, but for better or worse, it’s him. I think acknowledging and interacting with the fans should be a good thing.
Giddy Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
I completely agree with your point about acknowledging and interacting with fans since it doesn’t happen enough in any sport, but at the same time his celebration seemed a bit preemptive. Maybe if they’d won there would have been a different reaction? who knows?
Doug Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
I don’t see the big deal either. I know if I were one of the fans, I’d be happy as hell a player was celebrating along with me.
Bouj Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
The guys on Baseball Tonight were split on it. Steve Phillips and Harold Reynolds said it wasn’t that big a deal and that he shouldn’t make it a habit. Kruk sarcastically said Millidge should have just had a parade for tying the game.
Yes, it’s showing up the opposition to make a big deal out of tying the game. If they had won on it and he made a big deal, then I don’t think it would have been as bad.
I can’t stand all the grandstanding guys do for routine plays (Hey, look at me! I made a tackle for a 2-yard gain! Hey, look at me! I had a monsterous dunk to cut the lead to 12!). But then again, one of my 5 most favorite athletes of all time is Deion Sanders, so there you go.
goheat Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
During the game, the announcers and the crowd were calling for a curtain call after Milledge hit the home run, which is common in that scenario (Milledge didn’t come out of the dugout)– how is that any less disrepectful to the opposing team/pitcher?
I think it was fantastic that Milledge slapped some hands on his way out to the outfield. Willie Randolf should be punched in the ovary.
John Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
In Randolph’s defense: the circumstances are not likely to occur again.
It wasn’t just an HR, it was Milledge’s first HR in the majors. The entire stadium has high hopes for this rookie, and this is how he delivers his first shot. He wasn’t slapping hands to celebrate what he just did. He was slapping hands to celebrate the fact that he has freaking arrived.
The Big Picture Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
this wasn’t showing up the other team at all. he was happy, excited, and loves to give high-fives. shame on the Mets for not allowing this. fan interaction is what pro sports are missing.
unc_samurai Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
As much as I try to get back into baseball, things like this disgust me with the powers that be in the sport. Yes, I have over-extended celebrations as much as anyone, but when you interact with the fans in a positive manner, nothing bad can come of it.
Bouj, Kruk is just nut, and he’ll always be a little crazy.
Tom Says:
June 5th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
Baseball would be well advised to figure out a way to even the level of competition among the haves and have nots rather to fuss about whether Lastings slaps a few high fives.
Ryan Says:
June 6th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Why don’t we hear the same complaints when players in the NBA high-five fans in the front row after hitting an “and-1″ shot? Things must be really slow in Bristol, with the NBA finals not having started yet; ESPN’s grandstanding is deplorable. What are the odds that there’s an OMG “10 best/worst celebrations of all time” countdown on this evening’s SportsCenter?
Thomas Says:
June 23rd, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I just happened on this site in the midst of my search for a photo of the infamous incident. I have been a die-hard Mets fan since birth, and I remember the days when fans would run on the field after a big victory, and everyone here has seen the footage of the fans greeting Aaron after hitting #715 as he was rounding 3rd.
It pains me to think that the game and society have changed so much that a kid living his dream can’t show a little love to the fans. After all, he missed (presumably because he didn’t know how) his curtain call. I just see it as him making up for it. Why the Giants were so upset, I will never know. Maybe because Bonds didn’t hit a homer.
In defense to Willie, there was more to what he said that most people didn’t see. Living in Brooklyn and glued to SNY, you get a little more insight. Willie pretty much sided with Milledge, saying that “he’s a kid, just hit his first HR in a big game, wouldn’t you be excited, too?” Seeing this team every day this year, and just the overall vibe between the teammates and the fans, I think the interaction was good for Mets fans. You won’t see any Mets fans complaining…
Dillinger Says:
June 23rd, 2006 at 5:10 pm
I personally think its cool. Especially in baseball with all the stoppage of play, slowdowns, side changes…right fielders just kinda standin there with their legs splayed, pounding new dents in their mits…why not interact w/ fans?? They’ve got nothing better to do.
Thats Selig’s problem right there. He’s got this huge balco/HGH/juiceball/grand jury indictment thing goin and yet still has time to piss on something the fans actually appreciate. Way to go, Bud!!
Oh and as far as baseball 2night. Johnnie Kruk is baseball’s Steven A. Smith, except while SAS comes off as arrogantly knowledgeable and overly-charasmatic…and pompous, the Krukster just comes off as abusively drunk…think Jimmy Kimmel, The Man Show, the early days.
lefty551 Says:
March 8th, 2007 at 1:00 am
Oh Bull##it.
“I just wanted to let the fans know that they’re the reason why I’m here, and they’re the reason why I keep going everyday. I didn’t try to show anybody up…” Puuuuulleeeeze. I played D1 college ball and made it to AA before the rotator cuff blew out. When you get to this level in your “career” you shut the $$%^# up, make yourself as invisible as possible, and PROVE YOURSELF TO YOUR TEAMMATES. Only then do you begin to care what ANYBODY, ANYBODY AT ALL besides your teammates thinks about you, ESPECIALLY the fans, media, and management. The fans are not the reason you are there, and if you think they are, you have no future. Grow up, Millledge. Join the real world. If the fans were the reason, I would have had a 15 year career. Your Skill is the reason, and when you lose it, the fans could care a frigging less; there’s a new draft choice right behind you. I hope you make it, despite your frightening stupidity.