Almost everyone saw this one coming.
A day after White Sox rookie Yermìn Mercedes hit a ninth inning home run on a 47 mph 3-0 pitch Monday night against Minnesota Twins position player Willians Astudillo, Chicago manager Tony La Russa was critical of his DH.
La Russa said on Tuesday that Mercedes was given the take sign and that by swinging and hitting a home run — which extended the White Sox’ lead to 16-4 — Mercedes would have “consequences” to endure within the clubhouse.
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The 76-year-old skipper’s comments were hardly a surprise for the old-school mentality La Russa brings, but the rest of the baseball world found it to be exhausting.
Fans defended Mercedes, who has been one of the joys early on in the 2021 season, pointing to the 28-year-old DH having every right to continue to play at a competitive level for nine full innings, especially if the guy on the mound is throwing 47 mph.
Once La Russa’s comments began circulating on social media, the baseball Twittersphere relentlessly roasted the White Sox skipper.
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