Anthony Rendon is not doing himself any favors with his latest comments.
The oft-injured Los Angeles Angels third baseman went viral for what he said during a recent appearance on “The Jack Vita Show.” Rendon called for Major League Baseball to shorten the season, saying that 162 games was far too many.
“We gotta shorten the season, man,” said Rendon. “There’s too many dang games — 162 games and 185 days or whatever it is. Man, no. We got to shorten this bad boy up.”
While Rendon was laughing a bit when he made those remarks, he still got skewered on social media as a result. Many pointed to the fact that Rendon has missed 100 or more games in each of the last three years, so he himself is already playing shortened seasons. Others noted that Rendon is getting $38 million per year through 2026 to spend most of his time not playing … and yet is still finding ways to complain.
Take a look at some of the reactions folks had on X to Rendon’s remarks.
Ok listen say what you want about Anthony Rendon but he has been committed to the 'playing fewer games' cause since 2019 https://t.co/T9yTLPF0Kp pic.twitter.com/ARygoQ64rY
— Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) January 21, 2024
The Los Angeles Angels signed Anthony Rendon to a 7-year, $245,000,000 contract 4 years ago and he's played a total of 200 games as an Angel. https://t.co/u1aAXLb5Q1
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) January 21, 2024
Is there a single athlete out there that embodies the phrase “got the bag and dipped” more than Anthony Rendon? https://t.co/yGlTMujMvK
— YankeeWrld (@YankeeWRLD) January 21, 2024
Anthony Rendon whenever he’s asked to play baseball. https://t.co/ulo28d8XYe pic.twitter.com/6MC1Wjrnem
— Jay the One & Only (@Js4424) January 21, 2024
Even former All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon, Rendon’s one-time teammate on the Washington Nationals, went in on Rendon for the comments. He told Rendon to do his job and play the whole year or otherwise give back part of his salary.
I can definitely confirm Carrabis here…
Played with Rendon and literally hates baseball. Yeah it’s long isn’t that what you signed up for??? Just tell the team you want to play half the season and give back half your salary!!!!! https://t.co/OFb2ZnlV1y— Jonathan Papelbon (@TheRealJPap58) January 21, 2024
Major League Baseball has had a 162-game season since the early 1960s. With 100-win teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles all losing last season in the divisional round, there may be a case that the regular season means less than it ever has before. But for it to come from Rendon, a guy who already doesn’t play (and doesn’t even act professionally while not playing), the argument rings pretty hollow.
