Cincinnati Reds: Amir Garrett embraces villain role

The Cincinnati Reds certainly attracted plenty of notice over the weekend. Nicholas Castellanos‘ actions after scoring on a wild pitch against the Cardinals on Saturday led to a benches clearing incident, with his being handed a two game suspension as punishment. Yes, flexing over the pitcher after being called safe was a bit much, but after he was felt he was intentionally hit, one could understand the reaction.

But that is what one player wants the Reds to be. Amir Garrett is ready to embrace the villain role and wants that to be how others think of the team.

Amir Garrett ready for Cincinnati Reds to embrace villain role

Considering how people in baseball overreact to bat flips, fistpumps on the mound, or really any display of emotion, that will surely lead to the Reds becoming a hated group. While the Astros have the role of baseball’s villains locked down, maybe Cincinnati can be the villains of the National League.

But let’s face it – as Major League Baseball wants to appeal to the younger demographics, they need to have more personalities in the game. Baseball, whether fairly or not, have a reputation for being boring. The players are expected to be almost robotic, perhaps allowing to have a brief smile flash across their faces before returning to a stoic demeanor.

To an older segment of the fanbase, and to some players, such displays are unseemly. Moments such as when Castellanos let his emotions get the better of him while he flexed over Jake Woodford, or his bat flip after homering on Sunday, will give the Reds’ outfielder a target on his back. But those are also the moments that make the game fun and can draw the younger crowds that Rob Manfred is so desperate to find.

That approach seems to be working in the early going in Cincinnati. The Reds have a 3-1 record heading into Tuesday, while Castellanos has been hot at the plate. Maybe having fun and showing emotion can help a team win. And if they end up being considered as a villainous squad for their actions, so be it.

Amir Garrett wants the Cincinnati Reds to embrace their emotions and be the team known for bat flips and show boating. Be ready to see the villains of the NL.