Matt Adams Isn’t Showing Anybody Up, Right?

Oct 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (32) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 7th inning during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Adams hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning tonight off Clayton Kershaw to put the St. Louis Cardinals up 3-2 on the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the National League Divisional Series.

The home run went over a leaping Matt Kemp and cleared the wall by about a foot, but that didn’t stop Matt Adams from reacting like this:

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Matt Adams celebrating. In fact, I’m all for it, but if Carlos Gomez did that you’d hear every player on the St. Louis roster piss and moan about the Brewers disrespecting the opposing pitcher, and the game as a whole. I think R.D. Topp of Disciples of Uecker said it best:

Over the last four seasons the Cardinals have accused the Brewers and others of altering the baseballs in their home parks, rubbing up the balls, illegally stealing signs with technology, the shadows on the field during the game, and running the lights on the scoreboard ribbon differently against Cardinals hitters.

They’ve also spoke out against any form of celebration by their opponents as showing up the game. Even Jonathan Lucroy‘s harmlessly fun, political-style ad trying to get votes for the National League All Star team drew the ire of the Red Birds.

Go ahead and celebrate Matt Adams, but remember that feeling the next time your opponent returns the favor.

And yes… I am fully aware that this post is a knee-jerk reaction.