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Dodgers' Trevor Bauer 'All For' Fernando Tatis Jr. Celebrating Home Runs
April 25, 2021
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer supports celebrations from Fernando Tatis Jr., even if it comes at his own expense.
Bauer discussed the situation after his team's 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday:
"You give up a homer, a guy should celebrate it," the reigning NL Cy Young winner said. "It's hard to hit in the big leagues."
The question came after Tatis hit two home runs against Bauer, mocking him by covering one eye while rounding the bases:
It was a reference to Bauer pitching with one eye closed against the Padres in spring training.
"I figured if they can't score off me with one eye open, it's going to be difficult to score off me with two eyes open," Bauer said in March. "Just having a little bit of fun."
It opened him up to criticism down the road, but he was fine with the return jab from Tatis.
Not everyone has felt the same about Tatis, who hasn't been shy about displaying emotion during his short career in the majors. He opened questions about the sport's "unwritten rules" last year when he hit a grand slam on a 3-0 count. The Texas Rangers threw at teammate Manny Machado on the next pitch.
It's an issue other places in the league, where celebrating too hard leads to benches being cleared.
Bauer said Saturday pitchers who get upset or throw at opposing batters are "soft," and he appears willing to let players have fun while playing the game.