Let’s go back to April 3. On that day, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos was hit by a pitch from Cardinals’ pitcher Jake Woodford. He would end up scoring on a wild pitch later in the inning, and then stood flexing over the Cardinals’ reliever. That touched off a benches clearing shoving match, where Castellanos was the sole player ejected and suspended for his actions.
Naturally, Major League Baseball has decided that Castellanos’ actions, while inappropriate for the diamond, are a perfect marketing opportunity. They included that moment as part of their look back on the first half of the MLB season on Facebook.
MLB hypocrisy continues with Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos
Essentially, with their ruling, the league said that those actions did not have a place in the game. They did not that level of taunting, regardless of the circumstance, to be part of the game. However, it is perfectly acceptable to show that clip over and over again, and to use it as part of their video promoting the highlights of the first half.
But that is the way things go with MLB. PEDs are forbidden now, but the league absolutely loved the peak of the Steroid Era and the attention that surge in homers received. Using foreign substances to doctor the ball has been illegal since 1920, but the league decided to actively enforce that rule now, although those videos showing the ridiculous movement on pitches have continued to draw attention to the game.
In the end, that is how the league operates. Anything that can possibly be exploited for additional revenue or added positive attention will be, regardless of what they say about such incidents in public. Castellanos flexing over a pitcher is bad, but it makes for one hell of a highlight.
As for Castellanos? Well, the suspension and hypocrisy of the league have not affected him at all this season aside from his missing a couple of games. He made his first All Star Garme, and has posted a .330/.384/.583 batting line in his 367 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting 18 homers and 29 doubles. He leads the National League in batting average, doubles, and total bases in what has been a breakout season.
Major League Baseball had a problem with Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos flexing over Jake Woodford. But it is a perfect moment for a league approved highlight video.