Chapman celebrates with somersaults; Reds don’t approve
Aroldis Chapman’s ninth save of the season might have been the most controversial – because of something he did after it was over.
Once the Cincinnati Reds closer struck out Martin Maldonado to clinch a 4-3 victory over Milwaukee Tuesday night, Chapman took two somersaults toward catcher Ryan Hanigan in an apparent celebration.
The Reds reacted with concern – that Chapman might injure himself, offend the opposition, or perhaps both. Manager Dusty Baker, who saw the tumbling exhibition only on video replay, said pitching coach Bryan Price addressed the incident with Chapman after the game.
By the time Chapman returned to the clubhouse, the smile he wore on the field was gone. He rested his forehead on a bat as he sat silently at his locker. He declined comment through a team official, saying he was not “mentally ready” to take questions from the media. Veterans Joey Votto and Jay Bruce spoke with Chapman quietly for several minutes after the game.
Chapman, who defected from Cuba and is in his third season with the Reds, was arrested last month for allegedly driving 93 mph on a suspended license.
-- Jon Paul Morosi
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Complete overreaction! It's a one time thing that won't happen again.
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I would rather see someone doing somersaults then the touchdown celebrations that the football players do
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Fortunately for Chapman, he plays for an old-school, no-nonsense manager, who probably ripped him a new one, assuring it won't happen again. Left unaddressed, Chapman might have been waiting at home plate after a wild pitch, with a runner bearing down on him who remembered that little display, and decides to go Pete Rose on Ray Fosse. Baker may have saved hot-dog Chapman's career.
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Remember the Cardinals Ossie Smith at shortstop. His tumbling never seemed to bother anyone.
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Ozzie did his "tumbling" aka backflips, before the game as he ran out to his position. Not celebrating a victory. Completely different scenario.
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Give me a break Ozzie (and it's not spelled Ossie) did backflips onto the field on opening day! Absolutely no comparison to the Chapman's antics. Glad to see that it appears it won't happen again.
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I look at it like this. The Brewers have no right to get upset with this. It's the same as when they all untucked their jerseys the one year they were relevant. I think what Chapman did was dumb and immature but it is what it is Brewer fans.
