Joe Maddon dislikes bat flips — a 'generational thing' — but lets his Cubs players do what they want
By Paul Sullivan
The Tim Anderson bat-flipping episode has caused so much debate, some are afraid to even discuss it.
"That's a minefield," said one longtime MLB employee. "No matter what side you're on, you're never going to be right."
The White Sox shortstop on Friday received a one-game suspension for reportedly using a "racially charged" word during the on-field scuffle with the Royals, while Royals pitcher Brad Keller received a five-game suspension for throwing at — and hitting — Anderson during their game Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who has been in the middle of some heated debates about celebrations by his own players, including Javier Baez, said the bat-flipping debate is a "generational thing."
"Ickey Woods' celebration in the end zone, that was pretty popular," he said. "I know Penn State always just dropped the ball (after touchdowns) and left it right there. Baseball, the bat flip became popular more recently and you get all these awkward arguments because nobody wants to offend anybody else whether you are supporting it or not supporting it."
In Maddon's first year with the Cubs he chastised Junior Lake for flipping his bat in a game in Miami.
"At that time my being upset was about trying to flip the culture here, being more professional looking and act like you're going to do it again," Maddon said Friday. "That was my whole point about that.
"For me I'd prefer our guys didn't do that. I would prefer that our guys would act like they're going to do it again. I would prefer that the generation, the younger group right now, doesn't need to see demonstrations like that in order to feel like they can watch baseball, that baseball is more interesting because somebody bat flips really well and (thinking) 'I kind of dig it because if I watch it I might see a bat flip.'
"I'd prefer kids watch baseball because it's a very interesting game and it's intellectually stimulating. And when it's played properly it's never too long. I'd prefer kids learn that method as opposed to becoming enamored with our game based on histrionics. I'd prefer that, but it seems to be we are catering to that a bit."
Maddon was referring to MLB's ad campaign promoting such celebrations. MLB's Twitter account celebrated Anderson's bat flip, tweeting "Keep doing your thing @TimAnderson7" and adding the hashtag #LetTheKidsPlay.
Keep doing your thing, @TimAnderson7. 👏 #LetTheKidsPlay pic.twitter.com/9irMSsyFZ2
Maddon also felt Anderson should've known he would be thrown at after his bat flip.
"When somebody chooses to do that and somebody gets hit in the butt because of it, that's what you are looking at," Maddon said. "Regardless of whether you are old or new school, if you're a pitcher I think you're going to be offended by that."
Of course, Maddon's teams are not exactly angels, either, when it comes to celebrating home runs.
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"I'd like to believe we're not going to do that, but it may happen here too," he said. "Then you might see how the other team reacts."
Despite his viewpoint, Maddon said he won't tell his players what to do.
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"I'm into the freedom component," he said. "I still think that's the best way to do that — freedom meaning to not interfere with Javy having flair with how he plays, for example. With that thought process, you as a player, return more respect and discipline because of that. I always work off that premise.
"I think it's the right way to do it. Rules, that group that wants to legislate everything, to me, it doesn't work. … The tried and true method of policing the group, whether it's a team policing itself or the industry or players doing the same thing. I'd be curious to see if (Anderson) ever does that again based on the result the other day."
psullivan@chicagotribune.com
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