The 2019 baseball season begins next week in college. MLB spring training is about to start, and high school baseball is not far behind. With all this excitement which we waited for through the long winter, there is one major aspect of this game to keep in mind. So important, that NO ONE is above it! NO ONE!!! Ergo, Don’t Piss Off The Baseball gods.
I believe there should be a mandatory seminar for players and parents when signing up for T-Ball. I believe it should affect playing time when done wrongly, to prevent a plague of losing. Most certainly, I believe passing a test should be involved when signing a National Letter of Intent or Professional Contract. Heck, even a refresher checklist every season when uniforms are handed out for rec leagues.
Call it Ethics
Call it Karma
Whatever you see it as, it is simple,
DON’T PISS OFF THE BASEBALL GODS!!!
They are too damn powerful.
Don’t Piss Off The Baseball gods
Modern Trends
The culture of the game is getting away from common competence nowadays, and forgetting there are consequences. Celebrating too soon is most common. Especially, in the postseason. This creates massive disasters. Let’s not forget how social media can blow up in someone’s face for talking too much smack. The baseball gods have certainly kept up with technology for keeping everyone in check.
- Aaron Judge blasting New York, New York while walking by the Red Sox clubhouse after the only game they won in the Division Series. Of course the baseball god Senior Vice President of Social Media Virality will catch wind of it.
- Alex Bregman’s social media debacle in the postseason. As he quickly joined the other 26 teams already in the offseason.
These things are the kiss of death. Unfortunately, they are still widely accepted today. Even encouraged. Because someone pushed the notion that baseball is boring. Therefore, all the bored people jumped on the bandwagon. Of course, Generation “I NEED DOPAMINE NOW” started shredding the unwritten rules of how to handle yourself as a ball player. Then the low grade wonks in the media backed it up. Traditionally, results usually speak for themselves. Sadly in this current state, the connections between transgressions and losing big games get swept under the rug.
Don’t Piss Off The Baseball gods
Media Fires
Thankfully, players understand not to pop off to the press about their opponents, or even worse, their teammates. Nowadays, most players are exceptionally good at avoiding any media fiasco. To the point that they are quite predictable as to what they will say. Yes, deflection and mundaneness are the way to go. However, all it takes is one inappropriately bold comment, and the whole team is buried in a massive ditch. As a result of not thinking through the basics, the baseball gods make sure there are no ropes or ladders in the vicinity.
Very rarely do you see a team win it all who did not handle themselves in the proper manner. The teams that hoist the trophy and get the Big Rings the following spring, focused solely on winning. Talk is cheap. Ill-suited actions breed undesired results.
For Example:
1983 World Series. Phillies vs Orioles
Gary Matthews was the NLCS MVP. The Sarge was scorching hot coming into the Fall Classic. He hit the Go head home run in the 8th Inning of Game 1. He popped off to the press about a sweep and…
The contrary happened. The Phillies lost 4 straight as the Orioles took the Series.
Don’t Piss Off The Baseball gods
Home Run Reactions
The home run celebration insanity has gone beyond being acceptable. Admiring the long ball and a gaudy bat flips are one thing. Dancing around the bases is a whole other level of decadence. Don Drysdale is itching to be reincarnated! Case in point:
- Remember Joc Pederson flashing the Dollar Bill hand signs in the 2017 World Series while rounding 3B on a Home Run? Yeah, He only got a NL Championship ring.
- How about ‘Johnny No Hustle’s’ single off the wall in the last Fall Classic? Among other things that he did to upset the baseball gods, he is still waiting on a contract.
All these cocky notions awaken the metaphysical spirits of those who are truly in change of the game. Sure you cannot prove it from a physical standpoint. Of course, in 2019, everything needs to have analytical data to prove it…even though most people cannot understand the analysis nor significance. Nonetheless, the repercussions are there! You want to play with fire, get yourself to a burn center…or denial therapy.
If Ty Cobb is on this board of directors, that’s one ghost you don’t want to piss off!
We know Mr. Ted has a hand and a loud voice involved in the decision making process… The warning is out. Do not to wake him up!
I am all for an athlete who can back up his claims in victory. It takes a bold player to succeed when he single handedly raised the stakes. However, when you don’t live up to the hype, you become the GOAT for a team, an organization, & an entire city…and I am not talking the LL Cool J standard.
Don’t Piss Off The Baseball gods
Pitchers Are Guilty Too
You are taught in little league not to clean up the equipment until the game is over, right? The same concept goes for emotions and things you say during a game. The higher up the game goes, the more respect factor for this great game tends to be magnified.
A few years ago, I watched an NCAA Super Regional game.
A recently drafted closer came in to seal the victory in a 1 run game.
1st Batter strikes out looking. Big fist pump!
2nd Batter strikes out swinging. Bigger fist pump and an emotional release!
3rd batter gets to 2 strikes, pitcher is getting amped. He is feeling it, he’s showing it.
2 Strike pitch, hanging Slider, TIE GAME!
All that emotion….All for what?
To hype up your team?
It means nothing til you get the W. That is when you celebrate. Because it can all be gone in a single heartbeat, as witnessed.
Don’t Piss Off The Baseball gods
How To Get On Their Good Side
From a mental standpoint, When one gets too far ahead of themself, Anxiety takes over. One pitch gets overthrown, is elevated in the zone, or doesn’t break as sharply as intended, and everything implodes. The baseball gods keep everyone in check. Just another reason why this game is so special.
It’s Humbling
On top of the respect factor for the immortals, the even keel approach is most feasible to succeed as a pitcher. In regards to getting too far ahead of yourself, the same goes for backtracking. When you dwell on the past, one becomes depressed. Can’t pitch on that emotion either.
The outcome will take care of itself. You never know when the baseball gods will cut you a break in a big way.
Do you have an example of how the baseball gods were pissed off by the actions of a player or team? Absolutely, share the story below! And please, be as detailed as possible…
Keep Dominating!!!
About the Author
Brad Kirsch is the Owner/Creator of Slider Domination. He is a former professional pitcher who blogs about all things Pitching. Brad has also authored the AudioBook, 7 Reasons Why YOU Should Throw a Slider. If you haven’t done so already, you can Download the AudioBook Here
