MLB Bullets Needs A New Natitude

I've got another classic rock rant, although I don't think this one is going to be very controversial. As I watch the Cubs game Sunday night, a commercial for a brand of liquor (I won't mention it because that's what they want) invites us to celebrate the Rolling Stones "legendary" 1972 North American Tour with their brand of spirits because that's what the Stones drank. They also did a lot of heroin but I don't see anyone recommending that to commemorate the Stones.

OK, fine. The Stones want some money and this alcohol wants the "cool" factor associated with a 50-year-old rock and roll band. I've got no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is that the song they play is "Miss You," which is from 1978. Seriously? You couldn't play "Tumbling Dice," which is actually from 1972? Or even anything from 1971's Sticky Fingers album which has several of the Stones' most famous songs? It's like if Don Draper listened to "Disco Duck" on the car radio in the final episode of Mad Men for no reason whatsoever.

• The Nationals' disastrous season just got worse as Jonathan Papelbon decided to strangle Bryce Harper in the Washington dugout on Sunday.
• Jon Tayler writes that this is a new low for the Nats. Also, he provides an update that manager Matt Williams had no idea the fight was that bad when he sent Papelbon back out to pitch the ninth inning.
• Just the day before this mess, The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga reported that Matt Williams had lost the Nats clubhouse and had no hope of regaining it.
• Chris Cwik says this incident should seal Williams' fate.
• Jon Heyman says that Williams needs to go, Papelbon needs to go and maybe general manager Mike Rizzo needs to go too, since he was the one that made both of those men Nats.
• Ken Rosenthal writes that the Nationals need to clean house and get rid of that "Natitude" slogan too, which is now just a punchline.
• In a somewhat surprising move, the Tigers announced that manager Brad Ausmus will return in 2016. There had been reports that he would be fired at the end of the season.
• Someone who may not be back with the Tigers next season is catcher Alex Avila. It's always rough when a new GM comes in, cleans house and you get thrown out with the trash. It's especially rough when the new GM tossing you to the curb is your own dad.
• Ken Rosenthal is also reporting that there is trouble in the Orioles organization as manager Buck Showalter and GM Dan Duquette are butting heads.
• And Rob Neyer praises Showalter for taking a stand against "retaliation." Showalter has this "old-school" rep, but in a lot of ways, he's a very progressive thinker.
• Former Diamondbacks and Padres GM Josh Byrnes is a candidate for the Angels GM job.
• This is something that Cubs fans are quite familiar with. Nick Cafardo writes of the growing "title inflation" among baseball front offices as GMs are now team presidents and assistant GMs now have the GM title. Small market teams are upset with this as the new titles bring higher salaries with them.
• The big Tim Hudson/Barry Zito face-off took place on Saturday. It lasted only two innings before both pitchers were removed from the game.
• Erik Malinowski doesn't care that the two pitchers only lasted two innings: the whole matchup was about giving the fans a chance to say goodbye to two of their heroes. (And three, since Mark Mulder was there to be honored as well.)
• Writing before the game, Mike Piellucci wrote that it doesn't matter what the score was, the Zito/Hudson matchup was a celebration of the joy we get from baseball.
• John Baker grew up an A's fan and idolized the "Big Three" starters. When he finally got a chance to be in a clubhouse with them, he learned a different lesson from each of them about what it means to be a good major leaguer. You're probably going to want to read this, just to learn why Kyle Schwarber has Baker's batting gloves.
• The Giants decided to honor Tim Hudson by all dressing like him for their last road trip to Oakland.Complete with bald caps.
• We all know the tradition of making rookies dress up funny in September. The Astros had a really clever disguise for their rookie third baseman Matt Duffy. They made him dress up like third baseman Matt Duffy--the one who plays for the Giants.
• Joe Posnanski reflects on the renaissance of belief among the Royals fanbase over the past two seasons and the role he thinks it plays in the Royals' improved record.
• Don Orsillo called his last Red Sox home game yesterday. Michael Silverman writes about how classy Orsillo has been about the unclassy way the Red Sox have treated him. Don't worry, Boston fans. Don Orsillo is just going to a better place: San Diego.
• For those of you worried about the "classy" Curt Schilling, don't. He'll be back on ESPN for the playoffs.
• Ever wonder what life is like for a camera operator at a sporting event? Phil Edwards explains what goes into getting the shots for the game you watch on TV.
• Here's a video explaining Statcast and its role in the future of baseball analysis.
• Wallace Matthews wonders if rookie pitcher Luis Severino could start for the Yankees in the wild card game.
• Ben Lindbergh profiles first baseman Greg Bird, the newest Yankees superstar.
• Jeff Sullivan explains how Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus has been able to turn his season around.
• Did Matt Harvey throw out his innings limit?
• To no one's surprise, the Phillies will not pick up Cliff Lee's 2016 option.
• Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is out for the year.
• So, almost certainly, is Angels closer Huston Street.
• Dave Cameron wonders how much Cy Young Award voters (of which he is one) should take into account the skills of the catchers they throw to.
• Commissioner Rob Manfred will make a decision on Pete Rose's application for reinstatement by the end of the year.
• For hair fans, I have bad news. Andrew McCutchen has no intention of ever growing his dreadlocks back. Disappointing from a style standpoint, but I understand. I'd think they'd be harder to play in than his current short cut.
• A baby was born at Petco Park on Friday. Did they have the boy hold up a sign that said "My first ballgame"?
• In the Blue Jays celebration for a walk-off win, Ben Revere tried to dump water on the team and ended up just dousing himself.
• And finally, it's been awhile since we've had some really good fielding porn. And this may be the best ever. If you haven't seen it yet, here is the spectacular catch made by Mike Trout on Saturday night. Maybe the greatest rob of a home run I've ever seen. Definitely NSFW if you're Jesus Montero.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.