2024-02-20 05:27:12
Since joining the Angels with a seven-year, $245 million contract in 2020, Anthony Rendon’s every move on and off the field has been scrutinized by the media and fans with a magnifying glass. During Rendon’s four years with the Angels, he only played in 200 of the 546 regular season games, with a playing rate of only 37%. Even in the games he played, his performance was not as good as before. He had an OPS+ of 109 in these four seasons. Far less than his 126 in the national period.
With the second-highest salary (38 million) for an outfielder next season following Aaron Judge, Rendon’s attendance and performance will naturally cause dissatisfaction among many fans. Even though he had a conflict with fans on the sidelines last year, Rendon apparently still didn’t realize his current situation. During a recent spring training interview, he made inappropriate remarks.
Here’s a video of Anthony Rendon grabbing a fan’s clothing, cursing at him, then attempting to hit him.
He accused the fan of calling him a “bitch.”
The Angels said they have no comment, but noted that Rendon will be available to comment on it tomorrow before the game. https://t.co/DNX5ZquTBm
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) March 31, 2023
Rendon made his attitude quite clear when he appeared at Angels spring training today (2/20):
“It (baseball) was never a priority for me,” Rendon said of his approach to the game. “It was just a job, what I did to make a living, and my faith and my family always took precedence. Work.”
When asked if it was a priority now, Rendon half-jokingly said:
“Oh, this is definitely my priority right now, following all, this is my job,” Rendon said. “I’m here right now, right?”
When asked if he wanted to be here (by which he meant with the Angels), Rendon answered the question literally:
“It doesn’t matter if it’s seven o’clock in the morning or whatever time it is, I don’t want to be talking to you here (at spring training right now).”
The reporter then asked specifically if he wanted to stay with the Angels? Rendon said impatiently:
“I’ve already answered you! Why are you still holding on?”
Anthony Rendon on if baseball is a top priority for him:
“It’s never been a top priority for me. This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job. So if those things come before it, I’m leaving.”
🎥: @BallySportWest pic.twitter.com/T7VMYyi9F1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 19, 2024
It doesn’t seem surprising that Rendon would make such a statement. He rarely speaks to the media, otherwise he often ridicules them. Therefore, you can just check whether your speech this time is sincere, and you don’t have to take it seriously. Putting aside the “priority” statement, it was clear from subsequent interviews that he still wants to stay healthy and contribute.
“We have a complete (rehabilitation) plan,” Rendon said of staying healthy. “I think we’ll be following that plan for the first few weeks of spring training, and I think we’ll know it in the first few weeks. Is it effective?”
“I’ve been setting goals and expectations for myself in the past few years, but I don’t know if I’m particularly unlucky. I can only try to make a little better every day, and if I can survive another day, I’ll be satisfied. We’ll see. How will the situation be at the end of the year?”
Of course, Rendon’s past remarks and his performance and attendance rate that are inconsistent with his salary have made his current words and deeds easy to be magnified and scrutinized and even criticized, but he also mentioned that based on past results, he should take on the role of team leader. He also sees himself as a character.
Regardless of whether he can take on the responsibility of leading the team as he said, or whether he really no longer regards baseball as a priority, Rendon’s first goal for the new season is to stay healthy and use his skills on the field. His performance proves that his skills are still there.
Mike Trout told the media that he’s content in Anaheim right now and that being traded would be the “easy way out.” pic.twitter.com/Syzxm8eS7D
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 19, 2024
Compared to Rendon, the Angels looked more appropriately at cricket star Mike Trout’s remarks. In the past interviews with the three-time MVP, his answers were almost nothing more than “he likes the direction of the team”, “he wants to win” and “he can’t wait to play” etc… But this year He thinks the team can do more:
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