We saw in the NLDS just how impactful bulletin-board material can be for players. The Braves’ Orlando Arcia was heard shouting “atta boy, Harper” in the clubhouse after the Braves’ Game 2 win, and those reports had Bryce Harper staring down Arcia during a two-homer Game 3 (and eventual series win).
Fast forward to the World Series, and Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux apparently didn’t pay attention to the whole Arcia saga. Because, well, he did the same thing and took it to another level.
While the Diamondbacks’ Tommy Pham had an incredible 4-for-4 performance in Arizona’s 9-1 Game 2 win, Pham did have a big mistake on the base path. He was picked off at second to end an inning. And when cameras panned to Maddux, we saw this:
Mike Maddux 😂 pic.twitter.com/GF0K49bwtK
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 29, 2023
Lip readers were quick to notice that Maddux appeared to say, “Atta boy, you dumb (expletive)!”
Obviously, Maddux was just fired up about a big play but the disrespectful shot at Pham certainly got back to the D-backs outfielder as he responded to a video of it.
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 29, 2023
Yeah, he’s taking notes. And with the series tied at 1-1 and heading to Phoenix, fans will certainly look back at Maddux’s comments if the D-backs win the World Series.
This was how Twitter reacted
We get angry Tommy Pham for the rest of the World Series and we’re heading to AZ with home field advantage LETS GOOOO https://t.co/KkeeFuSUKw
— Vincent ☀️ (@VincentKeyes1) October 29, 2023
The way that “atta boy” to the rangers dugout is gonna hit if Tommy goes yard this series lmaooo https://t.co/Q8jlC9ZIKA
— Junior (@MaruchanWarrior) October 29, 2023
Rangers might regret this…. https://t.co/hvXu6lm4uM
— Baseball Doesn't Exist (@BaseballDoesnt) October 29, 2023
Yeah it’s over, Diamondbacks aren’t losing this series https://t.co/udmFQTCFAI pic.twitter.com/jQWyFJERAK
— Jacob Zanolla (@jz2016cubs) October 29, 2023
Rangers are done https://t.co/KrVWq1CPAe
— Ketel Marte (@ketel_marte4_) October 29, 2023
Tommy is notorious for having a long memory. Just ask Joc pederson https://t.co/igJSoQqCgB
— Ethan Rocker (@ethanrocker12) October 29, 2023
It is the postseason of, "atta boy" https://t.co/kmno03mqmn
— Dayton from Nebraska (@BravesAmerica) October 29, 2023
A pissed off Tommy is a dangerous Tommy https://t.co/2GirkANZcz
— Michael (@MichaelDSebast) October 29, 2023
Who knew atta boy would be so problematic this postseason https://t.co/0JfTR8bLJP
— JAC (@JacHawksfan) October 29, 2023
