Fernando Tatis Jr.'s slam vs. baseball's unwritten rules

San Diego Padre Fernando Tatis Jr. watches the flight of his grand slam ball in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers.

Aug. 18, 2020 9:31 AM PT

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the most exciting rising stars in baseball, hit his first career grand slam Monday night against the Texas Rangers.

After the game, he apologized.

Because, of course, baseball’s almighty unwritten rules were broken.

See, the Padres were up 10-3 with one out in the eighth inning. The bases were loaded. Tatis had worked a 3-0 count against Rangers pitcher Juan Nicasio.

And Tatis swung for the fences for his second home run of the night.

His blast capped a 14-4 victory, but a lot of folks in Globe Life Park in Arlington were not thrilled with Tatis’ actions. Pitcher Ian Gibault, who relieved Nicasio following the grand slam, threw behind Padres slugger Manny Machado with his first pitch. Rangers manager Chris Woodward later said of Tatis’ actions: “I don’t think we liked it as a group.”

Gibault was suspended for three games and Woodward for one by MLB on Tuesday. Gibault is appealing his suspension and Woodward will serve his today.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler wasn’t thrilled about Tatis’ actions either, saying: “We’re not trying to run up the score or anything like that” and “It’s a learning opportunity” and “He’ll grow from it.”

Tatis said after the game Tingler informed him he had missed a take sign on the pitch.

“I told him right away that was on me,” Tatis said. “I didn’t look in.”

The son of longtime major leaguer Fernando Tatis Sr. added: “I’ve been in this game since I was a kid. I know a lot of unwritten rules. I was kind of lost on this. ... Those experiences, you have to learn. Probably next time, I’ll take a pitch.”

Judging from the response on social media, most people — even current and former players — think Tatis shouldn’t change a thing.