It’s not particularly uncommon for opposing players to be rubbed the wrong way when someone hits a home run against them and flips the bat after doing so. It’s a bit less common to see someone’s own team call them out for the behavior.
Washington Nationals backup catcher Pedro Severino uncorked a rather emphatic bat flip after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins on Saturday, his second home run of the season and the fourth of his big league career. That didn’t sit well with manager Dave Martinez, who thinks Severino needed to act like he’s been there before.
Dave Martinez didn’t like Severino’s bat flip last night. Said he’s fine with the emotion from guys who hit a lot of them, but “when you have two, that doesn’t play.”
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) July 8, 2018
It begs the question: when does it become acceptable? At what threshold is bat flipping suddenly permissible? You’re either okay with it or you’re not. After all, plenty of players far more established than Severino get called out for it, so it’s not as if there’s some universally acceptable bat-flipping code here that the young catcher violated.
Martinez should lighten up and let his guys have fun. After all, this is a manager who had his team practicing celebrations during spring training. He should know better based on that.
