Torii Hunter argued a strike call late in the Twins' loss on Wednesday night. Then he got ejected. Then he stripped off his various pads and threw them before taking off his jersey and throwing it.
Of course, social media erupted.
Anyone who doesn't like Hunter or doesn't believe in clubhouse chemistry or leadership in baseball attacked him for behaviour that did not seem leader-like.
Anyone who likes him, like me, found the moment entertaining and indicative of the kind of fire he's shown throughout his career.
Both camps are probably wrong in some way.
In a 162-game season, sometimes things happen that mean nothing or close to nothing. This was probably one of those moments.
It wasn't leadership. It wasn't irresponsibility. It was just a guy getting frustrated and angry and doing the kinds of things that baseball players and managers have been doing for more than 100 years.
I grew up watching Earl Weaver. He was one of the smartest managers in baseball history. He also turned his cap backward so he could scream in umpires' faces. He also kicked dirt on home plate. He was brilliant and he acted immaturely at times and in baseball those are not contradictory behaviour patterns.
