While the Los Angeles Dodgers boast a roster comprised of several players who have outgoing personalities, they’re also a team that’s widely viewed as one that takes their preparation and the sport seriously.
However, that was lost on Atlanta Braves broadcasters Joe Simpson and Chip Caray. During the fifth inning of Saturday’s game, when the Dodgers were only leading 1-0, the conversation in the Braves broadcast booth shifted to attire worn during batting practice.
Simpson, 66, noted that he “grew up in the Dodger organization” before proceeding to criticize current players, including Chase Utley, for wearing t-shirts during batting practice at SunTrust Park.
Beyond the t-shirts, Simpson was particularly perturbed with Utley, who had his baseball pants pulled up above his knee without wearing high socks.
The exchange was captured by Chad Moriyama:
Word of the criticism reached the Dodgers clubhouse, which drew responses from Kiké Hernandez and Justin Turner.
Tomorrow’s BP attire pic.twitter.com/cL5Yw8Hh3e
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) July 29, 2018
I do but they don’t have the last name on the back and how the heck are fans supposed to know who you are?!! 🤔
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) July 29, 2018
It should be noted the t-shirt Utley wore was in support of Jason Motte’s foundation. Proceeds from that t-shirt are donated to cancer research.
With the Braves and Dodgers concluding their four-game series with an early afternoon game, the Dodgers will not take batting practice on the field. Or at least that is typically modus operandi.
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