ChiSox's La Russa defends Twins for throwing behind Mercedes

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa against the Los Angeles Angels during a Spring Training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox manager Tony La Russa defends Twins for throwing behind Yermin Mercedes

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 5/19/21

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa defended the Minnesota Twins for throwing behind one of his own players in bizarre comments after a 5-4 loss on Tuesday.

"I wasn't that suspicious. I'm suspicious when someone throws at someone's head," La Russa said, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. "I didn't have a problem with how the Twins handled that."

Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey and manager Rocco Baldelli were ejected from Tuesday's game in the seventh inning for throwing behind Yermin Mercedes in a seemingly retaliatory pitch after the Chicago catcher launched a home run in the ninth inning of Monday's 16-4 blowout victory on a 3-0 count.

Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey ejected for throwing behind Yermin Mercedes the day after Mercedes hit a 3-0 home run off of Twins position player Willians Astudillo in the 9th inning of a 16-4 White Sox win pic.twitter.com/cVt1HcOeoP
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 19, 2021

La Russa added that he would not allow Mercedes to swing on another 3-0 count in a blowout over another team in the future. However, Mercedes said he's going to continue playing his game.

"I'm going to play my game," Mercedes said. "I can't be another person. If I change, everything is going to change."

The 28-year-old slugger found support from many across Major League Baseball, including teammate Tim Anderson and reigning Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer.

Good for TA. If Tony La Russa is going to call out his own players for playing the game hard until the final out, then he shouldn’t have an issue with getting called out for being an outdated manager. Goes both ways. pic.twitter.com/ouXJLyFBqi
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) May 18, 2021

Dear hitters: If you hit a 3-0 homer off me, I will not consider it a crime.

Dear people who are still mad about a hitter hitting: kindly get out of the game.

Can’t believe we’re still talking about 3-0 swings. If you don’t like it, managers or pitchers, just be better.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) May 18, 2021

Mercedes has been on a tear this season, slashing .368/.417/.571 with six home runs and 25 RBI in 37 games. Considering his numbers are good, it's hard to imagine he'll hold up on 3-0 counts in the future.

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