Fernando Tatis Jr. has certainly had his eye on the prize lately.
The San Diego Padres star shortstop had another multi-home run game for the second consecutive night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, blasting two bombs off right-hander Trevor Bauer in a 5-4 loss.
But Tatis wasn’t just wreaking havoc with his bat; he was also giving the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner a little taste of his own medicine.
As the 22-year-old rounded first base after his leadoff home run in the first inning, he turned back toward the Padres dugout and covered up his eye — seemingly mocking the time Bauer pitched a spring training game with one eye shut.
Tatis was not done trolling Bauer, either.
After another solo shot in the sixth inning to give San Diego a 3-2 lead, Tatis appeared to do a slight little Conor McGregor strut as he crossed home plate — a move Bauer often does after striking out hitters.
Bauer, who signed with the Dodgers to a three-year, $102 million deal to become the highest-paid pitcher annually in baseball this winter, has been among the most polarizing players in the game for his outspoken personality and on-field celebrations.
But Bauer, who has been an advocate of players showing their emotions on the field, said he was all for Tatis trolling him.
“I like it,” he told reporters after the game. “I think that pitchers who have that done to them and react by throwing at people, or getting upset and hitting people or whatever — I think it’s pretty soft. If you give up a homer, the guy should celebrate it. It’s hard to hit in the big leagues. So, I’m all for it.
“And I think it’s important that the game moves in that direction, and we stop throwing at people because they have celebrated having some success on the field.”
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