Joe Maddon did not appreciate Clint Hurdle’s bat flip comments.
The Chicago Cubs manager issued a strong rebuke to his Pirates counterpart Friday in response to the latter’s criticism of second baseman Javier Baez for his reaction to hitting a popup Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.
“You watch their kid flip that bat last night? Where’s the respect for the game?” Hurdle asked reporters Wednesday. “The guy hits four homers in two days, so that means you can take your bat and throw it 15, 20 feet in the air when you pop up like you should have hit your fifth home run? I would bet that men over there talked to him, because I do believe they have a group over there that speaks truth to power.”
That, apparently, did not sit well with Maddon, who responded with extensive comments on the topic.
“Be careful when you start becoming hypercritical, because you’re pretty much defining yourself.”
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) April 13, 2018
Cubs manager Joe Maddon issued a strong response in the wake of Pirates manager Clint Hurdle offering criticism of Javier Baez.
More: https://t.co/By0MNBXgFT pic.twitter.com/RVkpccbmDE
“I was surprised by it. Did not see it coming at all,” Maddon said of Hurdle’s comments. “Clint and I have had a great relationship. I’ve known him for many, many years. I don’t really understand why he did what he did.
“To try to disseminate exactly what I think about a guy on another team based on superficial reasons? I’ll never go there. I don’t know the guy. I don’t know the guy enough. I’m not in the clubhouse with him. I don’t have these conversations. I don’t know what kind of a teammate he is. I don’t know any of that stuff.
“Whenever you want to be hypercritical of somebody, just understand you’re pretty much revealing yourself, and what your beliefs are, more than you are being critical or evaluating somebody because you have spent not one second in that person’s skin.”
Maddon indicated he did not see the play in question but felt Baez addressed it appropriately afterward.
The Cubs and Pirates will meet again May 28-30 for a three-game series at PNC Park.
Correction: A previous version of this story said Baez's bat flip came after a home run.
Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24.
First Published: April 13, 2018, 7:20 p.m.