Trevor Bauer is one of the more outspoken players in baseball. The Cleveland Indians’ starter doesn’t buy into the notion that athletes should remain human cliché bots in the clubhouse, and likes to express his thoughts on social media, mixing in the occasional jab.
On the mound, Bauer isn’t afraid to show off his animated personality, either.
Bauer was chucking on the bump for the Tribe on Monday afternoon, who were looking to extend their winning streak to 12 games. In the fourth inning, Bauer got into a mini beef with White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia.
It all started when Garcia fouled off an 83 mph slider, and quickly nodded and started yapping at Bauer as if he got lucky with the pitch. The Cleveland chucker didn’t take too kindly to the expressions, and yelled and pointed at Garcia to immediately get back in the box. The next pitch -- which is not seen in the GIF below -- was a 97 mph heater that Garcia once again fouled off. Finally, Bauer hung a 83 mph deuce that Garcia whiffed on, and Bauer’s reaction was priceless, as he directed the White Sox outfielder to promptly sit down in the dugout. It was Bauer's second time striking Garcia on the day.
Bauer and Garcia would face each other once more, with Bauer walking off the mound thinking he’d struck Garcia out on a 2-2 pitch. The ump saw it as a ball and Garcia would take first on the following pitch.
Bauer got the eventual last laugh, though, as the Indians held on for their 12th straight win, with the 26-year-old hurler picking up his eighth straight victory.
After the game, Bauer broke down the exchange in a candid manner.
"Three strikes, you're out."
It’s safe to say that Garcia and Bauer won’t be discussing the latest drone modifications anytime soon.
(h/t to Rob Friedman)
