Apr 27, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Yermin Mercedes (73) practices before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Twins apparently did care that Yermin Mercedes pimped a home run off a position player.
Mercedes got his, hitting yet another home run on a surprising start to the season that has him as a key cog on the best team in the American League. That doesn’t change the fact that he broke a rule in an invisible rulebook.
The 28-year-old swung at a 3-0, sub-50 mph fastball from Twins position player Willians Astudillo on Monday. Astudillo was merely in the game to keep Minnesota’s bullpen fresh. It worked, but came at a cost to Astudillo’s career ERA, as Mercedes destroyed a batting practice fastball to center field.
Come Monday, and Mercedes remained the talk of baseball, a game governed by said invisible rulebook. While the Twins didn’t comment publicly about Mercedes’ blast, they made their views very clear on Tuesday night.
Minnesota Twins take matters into own hands with Yermin Mercedes
Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey and manager Rocco Baldelli got early showers, as they were both ejected by the home plate umpire. For once, it’s a good example of ump show.
Both Duffey and Baldelli will be hearing from the league office, as Rob Manfred has been trying to limit as many on-field conflicts as possible.
Mercedes was lambasted by his own manager, Tony La Russa, on Tuesday afternoon. Neither Astudillo nor Baldelli had a problem with Mercedes’ actions after the game or the next day. So, why was any of this necessary?