Texas Rangers manager willing to hear other side of Fernando Tatis Jr. swing debate
Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward had the day off Tuesday, though he didn’t know it was coming until after he rehashed what he said Monday night about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s grand slam on a 3-0 pitch.
It wasn’t so much the grand slam that tested Woodward’s understanding of baseball’s unwritten rules, but the count of Tatis’ swing and the San Diego Padres’ lead when he took his rip.
Woodward paid for it, too.
The backlash was immediate and unrelenting. Those who missed his comments after a game that didn’t end until after 11 p.m. were quick to get in their jabs Tuesday morning.
He was fair game to anyone with a Twitter account and an opinion — always a dangerous combination. But it wasn’t just fans and media types, but current and former players.
That was before he was suspended for what immediately followed the grand slam and a Wil Myers grand slam Wednesday that put the Rangers in an early hole against the Padres.
But to Woodward’s credit, he wasn’t shaken by the criticism. He still didn’t like that Tatis swung when he swung. However, he has no problem with Tatis the player and is open to reviewing changes to the unwritten rules that might have passed him by at the ripe age of 44.
“I’ve thought about a lot of the gray area in the game when it comes to the unwritten rules. We’ve moved past a lot of these things,” Woodward said. “The line is one for one person and one for the other. Just because I was upset about it doesn’t mean that was right. Doesn’t mean that it’s wrong that he swung. I’m always willing and open to listen to discussion.
“I haven’t read too many comments, but I’ve read enough that some people are on this side and some people are far over here. I’m somewhere in the middle. Did it cross the line? In my opinion, yes. But maybe that’s because I’m scarred from the years I’ve been in the game and what I’ve heard and witnessed from people in the past. That doesn’t mean it’s right, though. That doesn’t mean that he was wrong to swing 3-0. Maybe that’s the new norm. Maybe that’s OK.”
Woodward was handed a one-game suspension Tuesday, which he served, for right-hander Ian Gibaut throwing the first pitch after the Tatis grand slam, behind Manny Machado.
Gibaut was handed a three-game ban, which he appealed and will serve once a review is meted out.
After saying the pitch had no intent Monday night, Woodward changed his tune.
“We don’t want to take matters in our own hands like that,” he said. “Obviously, I get that. It is a different day and age. Back in the day that was acceptable, but MLB has made it clear that it’s not.”
Padres manager Jayce Tingler also clarified comments that caused him some heat. On Monday, he called the Tatis 3-0 swing a teachable moment, but not entirely because he swung.
Tatis missed a take sign.
“I was talking about the signs,” Tingler said. “We miss signs throughout the year, and we address these things. I’m glad he missed this one. ...
“Looking to put any restraints — that would be insanity. The way he plays, the electricity, he plays the game right. He’s passionate, he works, he’s loved by his teammates, his staff. Those are all qualities we would never restrain.”
Woodward made clear he has no issues with the way Tatis plays the game, and went so far as to call Tatis the game’s “best player right now.”
Tingler, who worked on Woodward’s staff last season, said that he respects Woodward, and Woodward said the two were on the same page.
That’s good, because the Rangers and Padres play the next two nights in San Diego. Woodward was ready to move forward with no ill will at anyone, especially not Tatis.
“I have a ton of respect for the kid,” Woodward said. “He’s fun to watch. He kicked our butt yesterday, bottom line. We’ve got to do a better job of getting him out. I think Jayce, if he gave him the take and he swung, it’s a learning moment for him if he didn’t want him to swing.”
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 5:09 PM.
