Now that’s a celebration.
On Monday, Chicago’s Javier Baez drilled a walk-off hit against his long-time nemesis, Cincinnati’s Amir Garrett. It’s safe to say that Baez relished the moment.
As Garrett watched the ball sail towards the warning track, Baez stared down Garrett while he made his way down the first base line. Baez then waved his bat and arm as if to usher Garrett off the field, before tossing the bat back in his direction, flinging his helmet and ripping off his jersey. All in all, Baez’s dramatic journey to first base took 16 seconds.
Garrett was none too pleased himself. After picking up Baez’s bat, he exchanged words with an umpire and could be seen gesturing at Baez from the dugout.
Javier Baez didn’t hold back in his celebration of Monday’s walk-off hit. APMonday’s episode marks the latest chapter in a winding saga between Baez and Garrett. In 2018, a year after Baez tagged Garrett for a grand slam, Garrett exacted revenge by fanning Baez. The two players exchanged words, inciting a benches-clearing brawl.
In 2019, Baez again took exception to Garrett’s post-strikeout celebration, sparking another benches-clearing incident. And, earlier this year, the dugouts emptied again when Garrett chirped at Anthony Rizzo following a strikeout, prompting Baez to storm onto the field.
The Reds and Cubs still meet nine more times this year, leaving the door open to additional brouhahas.
