Padres’ outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. loves the game of baseball. He has fun playing it. Shame on you if you take his antics in a negative way. Shame on you. 

The game of baseball is a kid’s game.

Millions and millions of children play the sport around the globe.

It is hardly the national pastime for just America.

You need to have fun when you play a game, even at the professional level. Especially in a sport that requires a ton of failure. There are 27 outs in a game. That means 27 times, you will fail as a team. As a child, you are taught to “shake it off” or “keep your head up.” The game will drive you crazy if you let it.

For Fernando Tatis Jr., he has lived the life of multiple players in his five years at the highest professional level. Tatis worked his way to the top, only to lose it all. By self-inflicted wounds, Tatis tarnished his name. There is no way to spin it, he put himself in a big hole.

Instead of dwelling on his past mistakes, Tatis is rallying around his teammates and falling in love with the game again. There is a long road ahead for Tatis to replenish his reputation, but there is no doubt he possesses the skill level and the personality to move forward.

On Sunday night, the baseball world saw Fernando Tatis Jr. interact with fans, dance in the outfield, and, oh yeah, slug two home runs in a Padres’ impressive win over the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS. MLB is looking for a face—someone who embodies the new personality of the game. With bat flips and pitchers fist pumps in full effect, there is no room for the baseball purist of the past. The game always moves forward, and those past ideals are mostly gone.

Players are allowed and encouraged to show emotion on the field. In the past, old coaches would talk about respecting the game. But we’ve moved past that point. It is about enjoying a triumphant moment and relishing the success of the game, which comes few and far between. The failures still rule the sport, but the achievements are now celebrated and and done so without malice.

The celebrations are enjoyed by the fans. They are what make baseball.

On Friday, as the Padres began to pull away from the Dodgers, Tatis was filmed in the Padres dugout interacting with fans.

Tatis’ antics today dude is a menace and I love it pic.twitter.com/tx2WRexBM1

— Giannis Auntiegotapoodle (@TooMuchMortons_) October 7, 2024

This is not a typical fan interaction. But is there anything malicious being said or done by Tatis? Who knows what is being directed at him?

Most fans find this funny. Again, this is a new era of the game. Fan interaction will be part of it moving forward. A baseball game is like a show for the fans. They must be entertained and get their money’s worth. The Padres, and specifically Tatis, provide that. He is fun to watch. And really entertaining.

Here is a video of Tais playing with the fans on Friday in the outfield. He is doing this while being berated with multiple objects. Instead of being angry, Tatis took the higher road. Sure, he could have ignored the fans. But why? It is way more fun to interact and play up the rivalry. This is good for baseball.

Tatis communicating with #dodgers fans in right field #padres #NLDS pic.twitter.com/8rpFlpi0tv

— chris (@knofun) October 7, 2024

Is there anything wrong with this? He is dancing. Enjoying his moment. No malicious intent. Sure, it is not how you’d teach a rookie coming up in the league. But Tatis is a special talent. He has witnessed the ups and downs of the game firsthand. At 25, he has endured more than most 10-year vets. He has every right to celebrate his days in the majors and have fun. And having fun is just what he will do.

If you don’t like it. Maybe you are the problem.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.