Tony La Russa Is Getting Roasted For Saying He Didn’t Have A Problem With The Twins Throwing At Yermin Mercedes

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Yermin Mercedes was the cause of many arguments after he swung on a 3-0 pitch while facing a position player on the mound Monday night. Mercedes sent the pitch over the center field wall for a home run, but the aftermath has been the real story.

Sox manager Tony La Russa condemned Mercedes for swinging at the pitch, and acted as if he would be punished for the act.

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Tony La Russa Wasn’t Happy Yermin Merceds Swung At A 3-0 Pitch Against A Position Playerhttps://t.co/F24yncogTn

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) May 18, 2021

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On Tuesday, the Twins were very clearly trying to send a message to Yermin Mercedes when they threw behind him during the game. Twins reliever Tyler Duffey and manager Rocco Baldelli were ejected after the clear message.

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Now Yermin Mercedes gets thrown at and people wonder why we can’t grow the game of baseball…
pic.twitter.com/vlGFYKs7bb

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) May 19, 2021

After the game, La Russa was asked what he thought of the Twins throwing at his player. Not only did the 76-year-old skipper say he didn’t have a problem with it, but he actually started making excuses for Duffey and the Twins.

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Tony La Russa's comments on the Twins throwing behind Yermín Mercedes: pic.twitter.com/dLe7Oriohk

— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) May 19, 2021

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Tony La Russa on the Twins throwing behind Mercedes: "I wasn't that suspicious. I'm suspicious when someone throws at someone's head. I didn't have a problem with how the Twins handled that."

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 19, 2021

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La Russa: "What did they do? He tried to get a sinker in. You don't read minds. I'm not going to read their mind and I also don't second guess the umpire when its his judgment. If the ball is thrown at someone's head you don't give them the benefit of the doubt."

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 19, 2021

Baseball fans and media members couldn’t believe Tony La Russa would just not back his player like that after such a clear instance where he was being thrown at.

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Tony LaRussa giving himself a long look in the mirror this morning, wondering how he lost his clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/kDomZ07bt9

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 19, 2021

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Tony LaRussa should be fined by @mlb for criticizing his own player for hitting a home run, doing what he’s paid to do. They should cite his criticism as behavior detrimental to the brand.

— Drew Maus (@DMaus14) May 19, 2021

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TA7 to his teammates after LaRussa’s joke of a presser last night. #WhiteSox #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/AWj6ykMtS6

— Billy (@b_hint1322) May 19, 2021

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Saw this and decided to watch the full presser before reacting. It’s even worse. TLR repeatedly questioned if Duffey was even throwing at Mercedes. Didn’t stick up for his own players. Stunning. https://t.co/A2edeIHQDe

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) May 19, 2021

https://twitter.com/mares62J/status/1394975130632208388

https://twitter.com/ourmaninchicago/status/1395002441943470081

As if Tony La Russa’s comments about hitting a home run off a position player weren’t bad enough, he had to go and follow it up with a straight botch job on Tuesday night. If I were any White Sox player listening to my manager’s comments after one of my teammates was thrown at, I’d be done with the guy.

The White Sox have one of the best young rosters in all of baseball. It’s time for Tony La Russa to get out of their way, and let them play their game.

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