The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves for the third straight game on Saturday, earning a 5-1 victory at SunTrust Park which puts them one win away from a four-game sweep.
During the game, Braves broadcasters Joe Simpson and Chip Caray decided to criticize the Dodgers’ professionalism due to the t-shirts they were wearing during batting practice as opposed to jerseys with their names on the back.
Caray and Simpson criticized Chase Utley in particular, while Utley was wearing the Dodgers’ version of the Strike Out Cancer shirt, with the proceeds supporting Jason Motte’s foundation and going towards researching pediatric cancer.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about what Simpson and Caray had to say, and while he hadn’t heard the audio yet, he was not happy with them questioning his club’s professionalism, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I’m obviously not in tune with the broadcast, but I think if anyone looks at our guys, and you mention Chase Utley as unprofessional or however you want to classify it, I didn’t hear the video or the audio. I want to hear it, but I take it personal when people want to question our professionalism because I’ll put our professionalism, the way we play the game and prepare every day against anybody. I have to hear the audio, but that kind of sets me off a little bit.”
Perhaps Simpson and Caray being frustrated about the Dodgers beating the Braves three straight games played a factor in their rant.
But regardless, Utley in particular is one of the most respected guys in the history of the game and that is directly because of the professionalism he has displayed throughout the course of his 16-year Major League career.
So putting his character into question for what he was wearing during batting practice seems a bit afoul.
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