Bryce Harper

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

I'm old school in very many ways but I thought the Prince Fielder Walk off Celebration was one on the best things I ever saw in baseball. I much preferred that to Kendry Morales jumping wrong on home plate and missing 2 years of his career

Loosen up and have some fun

I hated it in part because it was vs the Giants in the heart of a tough, eventually failed late season playoff push... but I also think many/most pre-rehearsed celebrations come across as lame. IMO, only a select few pull it off with the right style and tone... most just come across a baggy (TO running to the star or pulling out his sharpie, Joe Horn with his hidden cell phone in goal post--- very bad... Angry John Baldwin squatting and crapping the football after his SB TD--- vulgar... Chad Johnson legally changing his name to Ochocinco--- hilarious).

Of course, this is all a matter of personal opinion and no one is "right". I don't really care that people fall on different sides of this argument, nor do I hold varying opinions against anyone (please keep on loving Prince's explosion at home). I am happy to see the game is still relevant enough for this argument, and will say again, I think this style clash makes the game much more fun.

[z28jd]

The ridiculous thing about Bautista's comments regarding the bat flip was that he legitimately made it a Latin thing, saying those players play with more flair, so American fans and players should just accept it.

As someone who has covered winter ball the last four years, the Latin players don't accept any showboating like he did. If he did that during a Dominican winter league game, he wouldn't have made it to first base without the benches clearing. Latin players in Mexico, Venezuela and the Dominican clear the benches over a lot less and they do it often. It's a 2-3 times a week occurrence.

So in reality, what he is saying by "accepting it" is I'm going to do it and we are going to fight over it.

[clydepepper]

Adding flair and fire is fine with this 60-year-old...I just don't want to get to the point were taunting is tolerated...that's garbage!

I have never been one to believe in extended celebrations - at the plate -or anywhere else.

I keep going back to The Bard for advice...'The play is the thing'.

Tim Duncan & Barry Sanders come to mind when I think of professionalism.
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The frequent excuse is 'it's a young man's game'. That's fine, but those instant millionaires need to show respect for those who came before - they would not be making so much if thousands before them had NOT made so much...THOSE guys made the game watchable.