The Los Angeles Dodgers may have won the West, but they lost the respect of the Diamondbacks after jumping in Arizona’s swimming pool to celebrate their spoils.
One the most unique features about the Chase Field is the swimming pool in the right center field stands. With temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees in Arizona, the pool is a great way for over-heated fans to cool off. It’s not supposed to be for the visiting team’s entertainment.
Apparently, no one told the Dodgers that. Actually, someone did tell the Dodgers, they just didn’t listen. You see, the Diamondbacks asked the Dodgers not to come back out on the field after the victory for security reasons.
The sneaky Dodgers waited until Chase Field was mostly empty and then made a mad dash for the swimming pool! Yasiel Puig went with the swan dive while Clayton Kershaw led the celebratory party .
The Diamondbacks were outraged. The Los Angeles Dodgers not only clinched the NL West in Arizon, they were now rubbing the victory in the team’s face.
Derrick Hall, the Diamondbacks ‘ President, said, “I could call it disrespectful and classless, but they don’t have a beautiful pool at their old park and must have really wanted to see what one was like,” in a statement.
When asked for a response, Clayton Kershaw said, “That’s OK, I’m sorry they feel that way, we didn’t mean any disrespect toward them. We’re just trying to enjoy our good season. For me, if they were celebrating at our home field, they would have the right to do whatever they wanted.”
Dodger manager Don Mattingly added, “You know, you try to hold it together for so long, you go through so much… and then you just let it all out.”
The question needs to be asked then, was this the best way to “let it all out?” Probably not. However, you can’t blame the Dodgers for acting in the heat of the moment. This is a team that at one point was 30-42 and almost 10 games out of first place. No one saw them winning the NL West. At the time ownership was reportedly ready to fire Don Mattingly.
At the end of the day, the Dodgers could have exercised restraint and shown the Diamondbacks more respect at their home field. In the big picture though, no one is going to remember this come next season. Except Arizona, of course. That should be a fun series.
[image via Wikimedia Commons ]