John Lackey, like most Major League Baseball players, is a competitor. Unlike some, he has absolutely zero problem showing it.
The veteran right-hander got the start for the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night in Game 4 of their National League Championship Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched pretty well, too, keeping the Dodgers off the board through the first four innings.
Lackey hit a bit of a snag in the fifth inning, though, walking the first two batters he faced. But the Cubs owned a four-run lead at the time and Lackey hadn’t allowed a run through 72 pitches, so nothing to worry about, right?
Apparently Joe Maddon thought different, as the Cubs manager emerged from the dugout after Lackey’s second walk to give him the early hook. Needless to say, the big righty wasn’t pleased, and TV cameras caught his displeasure.
Warning: If you can read lips, the video below contains explicit content.
No, John, he’s not (expletive) kidding you.
Lackey likely was even more incensed after the reliever brought in to replace him, left-hander Mike Montgomery, allowed both of his inherited runs to score. Fans of the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals won’t be surprised by Lackey’s reaction here, as the 37-year-old has a long history of being demonstrative on the mound.
Yet Lackey had a reason to turn that frown upside down after the game: Chicago’s offense broke out for 13 hits in a 10-2 rout of L.A. that tied the series at two games apiece.
Thumbnail photo via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images
