CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- A benches-clearing dust-up in the sixth inning Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field added some color to a sparsely-attended game between the White Sox and Royals.
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was plunked by Royals starter Brad Keller in the sixth inning, with the intent appearing to be payback for Anderson showing too much joy after hitting a two-run homer two innings earlier. Anderson did a baton-like a flip of his bat as he glanced back towards his own bench, all while Keller and Royals catcher Martin Maldonado stood and watched.
Keller threw the purpose pitch in the sixth and was tossed out along with Anderson, Sox manager Rick Renteria and Kansas bench coach Dale Sveum. It was all part of a wild game the Royals won 4-3 in 10 innings.
"Everybody has their own unwritten rules," Renteria said. "Timmy wasn't showing them up. He was focused on our dugout. If he turned to the first base dugout it would have been a big deal. Obviously, they didn't take kindly to it. They took a retaliatory position. You go ahead and drill your guy, why can't you just leave it. You already did your piece you don't need all those guys out there."
Anderson has established the fact that he will have fun, show joy and enthusiasm on the field at all times. The old-school idea of not showing up your opponent is gradually being replaced in baseball by a new wave of internal celebration for players with their teammates.
"I am going to continue to be me and continue to play the game hard," Anderson said. "I will continue to be a spark to this ballclub. I get it, I just wanted to let them know how I feel too. I understood what was going on and why they threw both of us out."
Hard slides and in-your-face activity is now the norm for Anderson's style. The main question is if he has the backing of the organization, coaching staff and teammates when he incites other clubs.
"How others take it, I can't change it," Renteria said of Anderson's flair. "He does not go out there to try and show anybody up. He turned around and looked at our dugout and says let's go. The game of baseball has taken its different roads. In the heat of the battle, there may be some misunderstanding. Both sides are grinding and battling to win ballgames. It just happens. That is baseball."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
