San Diego Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger is just like all of us

There is nothing quite like a cold beer at a ball game. San Diego Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger apparently agrees.

Clevinger was out on the diamond prior to a game when he had a hankering for a cold one. To satisfy that urge, he traded a ball to a fan in order to get that beer, tucking the can in his back pocket as he headed back.

San Diego Padres Mike Clevinger understands what is important

In theory, it is easy to criticize Clevinger for this moment. He was one of the more vocal members of the Padres when it came to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s PED suspension. Then, he trades a ball for a beer while the Padres are practicing, letting some fans on social media claim that Clevinger is drinking on the job.

But there is a major difference. It is not as though Clevinger popped the can open and chugged the beer before heading back to practice. Drinking a beer is also a lot different than taking a steroid; unless one if Babe Ruth, it is difficult to call booze a performance enhancing drug.

Those same people criticizing Clevinger for having a beer likely would not enjoy what they see in the clubhouse. Players relax and have a few cold ones after a game. It is simply a part of the game, and short of another Prohibition, that is not going to change.

There is, however, one thing that Clevinger can be criticized for in this. The fan wanted a fistbump after getting him the beer, but Clevinger left him hanging as he jogged back to warmups. Maybe he just did not notice, but you have to give the person that got you a beer a fistbump. It’s just common courtesy.

There is nothing quite like a nice cold beer at a ballgame. This is something that San Diego Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger agrees with as well.