This MLB postseason has seen some truly entertaining reactions to home runs. There was Fernando Tatis Jr.’s fantastic bat flip. There was the Braves’ Marcell Ozuna taking a fake selfie 45 feet down the first-base line.
But don’t celebrate the demise of baseball’s antiquated unwritten rules just yet. They appeared to be well on display during Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Braves and Marlins.
The controversy started when the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a massive, opposite-field home run off the second deck. Acuña knew it was a home run immediately, and he had just about the coolest reaction to it: Watching the ball leave the park and tossing his bat.
RONALD ACUNA JR! Leadoff HR!
The @Braves take the early lead! pic.twitter.com/b4dtt0BKsw
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 6, 2020
Another look at the celebration:
THE BOMB.
THE BAT FLIP. @ronaldacunajr24 pic.twitter.com/lxl16QcoAB
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) October 6, 2020
In the third inning, the Marlins broke ahead for a 4-1 lead. And when Acuña stepped to the plate, he was hit by a 98 mph fastball on the backside. He was not happy and understandably so.
Tempers flare in Houston after Ronald Acuña Jr. was HBP in his first AB after hitting a home run: pic.twitter.com/R3dWJLeXa1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 6, 2020
While, situationally, it would make little sense for Sandy Alcantara to hit Acuña intentionally with Freddie Freeman and Marcell Ozuna due up, the Marlins and Acuña have a history. So, it’s tough to give them the benefit of the doubt.
The umpiring crew clearly thought something was amiss too and issued warnings to both dugouts.
The moment seemed to fire up the Braves as they scored two runs in the inning to cut the deficit to one. Intentional or not, the unwritten rules remain incredibly lame. Let the players have fun.
