Friday, February 28, 2025, 9:18PM |  51°
MENU
Advertisement
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon greets Pirates counterpart Clint Hurdle before the teams faced each other Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
1
MORE

Cubs' Joe Maddon fires back at Pirates' Clint Hurdle in bat flip flap

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Cubs' Joe Maddon fires back at Pirates' Clint Hurdle in bat flip flap

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.”

Advertisement

That, apparently, did not sit well with Maddon, who responded with extensive comments on the topic. 

“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.” 

Advertisement

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.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington
1
news
Zelenskyy leaves White House without signing minerals deal after Oval Office blowup with Trump
The Downtown skyline with the Fort Pitt Bridge on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
2
opinion
Brandon McGinley: Is Pittsburgh doomed?
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, center, and teammates run the 'Tush Push' play during an playoff game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia.
3
sports
Ray Fittipaldo: The Packers are right. The NFL should ban the 'Tush Push'
Parishioners pray for the health of Pope Francis at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
4
news
Pope had coughing fit, inhaled vomit and his prognosis remains guarded, Vatican says
Co-owners Mary Mancini Hartner and her son, Nick, stand  in front of the original mixer at Mancini’s Bakery in Stowe.
5
life
Iconic Eats: Stowe-based Mancini’s Bakery has been feeding the area since 1926
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon greets Pirates counterpart Clint Hurdle before the teams faced each other Tuesday at Wrigley Field.  (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story