Ex-MLB All-Star Erstad benches college baseball player for bat flip
Let’s go on a limb and say that Darin Erstad wouldn’t get along too well with Jose Bautista.
We all know the former Toronto slugger (and current Brave) is the king of the bat flip.
Jose Bautista with the BAT FLIP & TROT to tick the Braves off #BlueJays
— Around The Bases POD (@AroundBasesPOD) May 18, 2017
On this day last year, Jose Bautista hit a three-run home run in the 7th inning against the Texas Rangers and the bat flip was born. pic.twitter.com/x5Iu7bg4E8
— Norm Kelly (@norm) October 14, 2016
Nebraska Cornhuskers infielder Angelo Altavilla has a long way to go in order to catch up to “Joey Bats,” but it might be a good idea to practice on his own time.
When you sign up to play for a coach like Erstad, you must know that he’s as old-school as they come.
In college (Nebraska), he starred on the baseball team and was also a punter on Tom Osborne’s national champion football squad.
This is not a guy you want to mess with.
So it wasn’t too surprising when Erstad made it clear that bat-flipping will not be tolerated.
Friday night, Altavilla hit a moon shot against Indiana. The ball still might not have landed.
He admired his home run for a few seconds before flipping his bat and trotting the bases.
Darin Erstad pulled Angelo Altavilla for admiring his long blast last night.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/5uq6h4a3Sp
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) May 12, 2018
Erstad felt like his player was being disrespectful and pulled him from the game.
Indiana’s catcher wasn’t thrilled, either, but there was nothing more intimidating than the reaction Altavilla got when he returned to the dugout.
https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/995387992599678978
Side note: For the player smiling next to Erstad … maybe not the best idea.
Replays showed the coach telling Altavilla, “Don’t ever do that again.”
Erstad certainly has the credibility — he was a two-time All-Star during his 14 big league seasons, most of them with the Angels.
Altavilla might make the majors, or he might not.
But we’re pretty certain that the celebration the next time he goes yard will be a bit more subdued.
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