During Saturday’s game between the Tigers and Rays, Miguel Cabrera did not appreciate a 10th-inning up-and-in pitch from Fernando Rodney. Cabrera barked at the Rays going back to the dugout after striking out, and, on Sunday, the Tigers appeared to retaliate by hitting Ben Zobrist in the first inning.
An immediate warning by home plate umpire Vic Carapazza seemed to keep the incident from escalating, but the war of words was far from over.
“I thought it was absolutely uncalled for, and hopefully the league will take a look at it,” Maddon told The Associated Press. “There’s many more opportunities to play good, hard baseball, and we will.”
However, Maddon’s insinuation that the incident may not be over wasn’t the most interesting thing he said after the game. The Rays manager gave the reigning MVP and Triple Crown winner a compliment before tacking an insult onto the end of his remarks.
“I don’t debate, this guy is outstanding,” Maddon said of Cabrera. “He’s wonderful. I just wish he wouldn’t cry so much.”
For the record, the Rays and Tigers do not play again this season, so any resolution of the bad blood between the two teams will have to wait until 2014 — or perhaps the playoffs.
Photo via Twitter/@TBTimes_Rays
