Pimp Everything? Kernels Have Varying Opinions On Bat Flips

[Parker Hageman]

Following Tim Anderson's bat flip heard round the world, Cedar Rapids Gazette's Jeff Johnson went into the Kernels' clubhouse to survey the Twins' minor league prospects on how they feel about the incident and bat flips in general. 

 

Third baseman Trey Cabbage, who was recently promoted to Fort Myers, was in full support of the display:

 

“I’m pro bat flip,” Cabbage said. “Because, I mean, if I hit a ball that far off of you, I’m going to celebrate it. But if you punch me out with the bases loaded, glove clap, fist pump, I don’t care. It’s an emotional game. If you are out there with no emotion, or even if it’s a quiet confidence ... I like it when people are emotional. That’s my thing. I’ve got no problem with a pitcher fist pumping. But when I hit one out, I’m going to celebrate, too.”

 

 

Meanwhile pitcher Blayne Enlow was less receptive, suggesting that Anderson should have been plunked for his actions. 

 

But he said he “absolutely” would have tried to hit Anderson.

 

“I wouldn’t have done it in the bottom of the sixth, though, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “When it’s a 2-2 ballgame? No. But he deserved it. He even knew. Did you see the video? He was like ‘It’s all good. I know.’ He knew he was about to get hit.

 

“You do something like that, then let us pitchers celebrate then. Whenever we get a strikeout, let us scream at people and follow them all the way into the dugout. If we’d do that, then one of our guys would get hit.”

 

 

Then there are opinions everywhere and in between from the rest of the Kernels. It's a good read and I'm certain anyone who reviews it will undoubtedly find their view on bat flips represented in that clubhouse. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Enlow is reaching quite a bit here.

Follow the hitter all the way to the dugout? In what way is that analogous to flipping a bat?

 

I definitely will not be rooting for a pitcher who says he would try to hit a batter on purpose. I hope we never see Enlow in a Twins uniform.

[Major League Ready]

You want to write-off a 20 year old kid for demonstrating a little bravado?  I definitely don't agree with what he said but that single incident won't sway me from rooting hard for him becoming a prominent part of a future twins rotation.

[Mr. Brooks]

You want to write-off a 20 year old kid for demonstrating a little bravado? I definitely don't agree with what he said but that single incident won't sway me from rooting hard for him becoming a prominent part of a future twins rotation.

Sports are not important enough for me to cheer for someone who will intentionally risk someone's safety, just because they are on "my team".

 

It's one thing to play hard in sports, and if injuries happen, they happen. It's another to intentionally throw at someone.

 

And it's not a single incident. This is what he feels is an appropriate response to celebrating a HR.

Throwing at someone is not "bravado", it's cowardice.