MESA, Ariz. – Overshadowed by all the talk of improved fundamentals, and the Cubs’ subsequent first win of the spring, new manager Joe Maddon made it clear he’s no fan of players standing to watch, or “pimping,” their home runs – something that could be worth watching if all these powerful young prospects make it in the big leagues.
Javy Baez laughed about catcher Welington Castillo watching a homer Tuesday then returning to the dugout and looking for spring coach Manny Ramirez: “He was like, `Where’s Manny? I pimped that one.’ “
Maddon said he didn’t see whether Castillo lingered to watch his homer – which came in a 10-6 loss. But after asking about the details, Maddon said, “Then we need to talk.”
Maddon’s not making a character judgment, he said.
“It’s act like you’ve done it before and you can do it again,” he said. “The touchdown celebration, all that stuff, pounding your chest after dunking a basketball, all this stuff that’s become part of today’s generation of athletes – whether you agree with it being right or wrong doesn’t matter.
“I would just prefer that our guys would act like they’ve done it before and that they’re going to do it again.”
Castillo, the clear No. 3 in the Cubs’ catching order, was considered a strong candidate to be traded before the season opener even before camp opened.
