Let Go And Let Gomez

The first thing I thought when I heard about Houston Astros outfielder Carlos Gomez telling various New York Yankees to shut up after reacting poorly to his own offensive miscue in a game his team won handily was “Somebody will take on the role of curmudgeon and talk about ‘playing the game the right way’.”

I hate being right all the time. After both benches cleared Tuesday night following Gomez’s outburst caused by a pop fly to center that he believed he could have hit better, Yankees manager Joe Girardi lambasted Gomez during a postgame interview, saying he thinks Carlos should learn to “play the game the 'right way'”.

You want to know the right way to play the game? With passion, drive, and most importantly, enthusiasm. These are adults playing a game ostensibly for children (this applies to athletes in every professional sport, mind you). If you take it too seriously, you begin to miss the point. It’s no wonder that the sport most resistant to cultural shifts continues to see players and managers fighting over the “right way” to play.

I'm guessing that these two aren't discussing the finer points of gun control.
Courtesy Andy Marlin, USA Today Sports

It’s beyond ludicrous that this is considered newsworthy. Furthermore, why is it always Carlos Gomez? This, the tiff in 2014 with Pirates hurler Gerrit Cole, an altercation at home plate with then-Braves catcher Brian McCann in 2013…he’s become a lightning rod simply for having a personality. Are you noticing the problem? Hint: it isn’t Gomez whose actions are unwarranted.

You’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating: Baseball must begin to embrace the fact that we live in the 21^st century. Decades of institutionalized secrecy and adherence to a code both written and not have led to a droning cacophony surrounding the baseball elite. They only hear each other’s voices, blocking out the cries of fans who aren’t offended by bat flips and other ornate celebrations. They can’t seem to concern themselves long enough with improving fan safety or keeping megalomaniacal umpires in check; no, the biggest problem is making sure nobody looks like they’re having fun while playing!

I’m tired of writing about this kind of thing. You’re tired of reading about this kind of thing. Hell, I’m sure Gomez and others of his ilk are tired of defending themselves over this kind of thing. Until there's a sea change in perception, though, we'll be plagued by stubborn ballplayers policing each other and ensuring somber compliance rules every day of the week that ends in Y. 

THIS IS INFURIATING AND HIGHLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE GAME'S REPUTATION
Courtesy Andy Marlin, USA Today Sports

Perhaps the most curious thing, at least to me, is why other players so readily chastise their peers for trying to infuse some flair into the game. I get out-of-touch owners and executives taking offense, because they come from a time when players were unflinchingly respectful of the governing rules and customs. To them, seeing a player with any sort of attitude is unforgivable.

Fellow players should seemingly be more understanding, though, and take a lighter stance on the matter. After all, you never know when you could be chewing out a future teammate. Plus, if you had to stand up for your right to show your emotions, wouldn't you want supporters that understand your plight better than anyone else? What do you gain by needlessly creating tension between yourself and a coworker? Doesn't that just make everybody's jobs more unpleasant? 

Maybe I'm missing the point, but it seems pointless to keep fighting this battle. Baseball has weathered multiple steroid scandals, a World Series-cancelling strike and accusations of racial/gender inequality in my lifetime. There are bigger problems to attend to than a player having actual feelings.