All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips is not a big fan of their division rival St. Louis Cardinals. In fact he had some pretty choice words for the Redbirds...
“We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is bitch and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little bitches, all of ‘em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear – I hate the Cardinals.”
This is what baseball needs. We need teams and players who hate each other. It started earlier this season when Red's first baseman Joey Votto said he hates the Cubs and wouldn't even acknowledge Marlon Byrd at the All-Star game because he is a Scrub. I'm sick and tired of all the players being all buddy buddy with the opposing teams. Growing up I remember a lot more baseball fights then there seem to be now. I remember Otis Nixon doing a Karate Kid on one of the pitchers for probably making fun of the powder on his nose. I remember George Brett freaking out at the umpires for the Pine Tar incident. It just seemed like players cared more back in the day.
Maybe I am romanticizing it but I honestly I enjoy hearing the players hate their rivals. It shows to me that they care more about winning than anything else. There should be no finger blasting each other before or after the game (talking to you A-Roid) and instead I want to see yelling and cursing at each other.
I guess what I am trying to say is baseball needs more "bad guys" like Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto. You want players on your team who are ready to go to war because you know they have your teammates back. A little psycho is good for the camaraderie every once in a while.
Hopefully Albert Pujols stops being the nice guy and calls Phillips a "little Stone Mountain piece of shit" who can lick his zits off his back. Come on Albert. Stop being Winnie the Pujols and start acting like the bad guy. More vinegar and less honey would make baseball more exciting for the common fan.
Image via SI.com