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Why Cody Ross hates his bat flip but can’t stop doing it 05.12.12 at 11:42 pm ET
By Rob Bradford

Much to his dismay, Cody Ross just can't stop executing bat flips after home runs. (AP)

For the first time since April 23, it made an appearance.

The Cody Ross bat flip.

The Red Sox outfielder launched his sixth home run of the season in the sixth inning of his team’s 4-1 win over the Indians Saturday night. And before the ball even cleared the left field wall, Ross’ bat had been tossed toward the Indians dugout to punctuate the moment.

But believe it or not, for Ross it is a trademark he never wished made an appearance in the first place.

“I’m not trying to show anybody up. It’s just a reaction,” he explained. “I actually don’t like it. I wish I could get rid of my bat a different way, maybe like Lance Berkman, hitting it and setting it on the plate. It just happens.

“You can’t really practice that. I don’t go home at night and think about ways to let go of my bat when I hit a ground ball or a fly ball. It just happens. When I hit a ground ball I let my bat go back where it hits the plate. Sometimes when I hit a fly ball I’ll throw my bat another way in disgust. When I hit a home run I still throw it, but it’s more like … it’s kind of a weird deal.”

Ross doesn’t know exactly when the practice of tossing the bat to the side after hitting a home run first appeared, but he does remember when it was initially noticed.

“I’m not sure when the first time is, but I know when I was with the Marlins and I was facing Matt Cain was the first time people made a big deal about it,” Ross said. “I hit a home run off of him and I guess I flipped my bat and he kind of stared at me and watched me run around the bases. I didn’t really realize I did it because I don’t realize I’m doing it, and I don’t want to do it. But it’s just something that kind of happens.

“So, he didn’t like it, we left town and about a month later I got claimed off waivers by the Giants. I was walking around the clubhouse saying, ‘Hey,’ to everybody and he’s sitting in his locker. I knew Matt was a really nice guy but didn’t really know him all that well. I walk up to him and said, ‘Hey man, how you doing?’ He looked at me and said, ‘Do you think you could have flipped your bat any further?’ I’m just like, ‘Bro, I’m so sorry. You’re not the first. Let me go show you some video of people I’ve actually done it to in the past, but I don’t mean to.’ ”

Since then, Ross has made nice with Cain, while continuing his unwanted habit.

“Nobody has really thrown at me before,” he joked, “probably because they would rather try and get me out.”

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  • Hesher

    Who cares if he flips his bat, And why do pitchers get mad when someone does that? all the hard work and dedication you put into the sport and when you hit a homerun you can’t even celebrate it, you have to jog around the bases and have a look on your face like life sucks or else your “showing” the pitcher up….if i was in the big leagues and hit a home run i would play the air guitar while running around the bases, then at home plate i would do a slide on my knees.

  • Robert Muliero

    This guy is a major league ballplayer with the skill it took him to get to the top of his profession.  For hin to say he can’t stop throwing his bat is just total BS.  This is typical of the arrogant attitude of this team.  Hopefully we only have to suffer with this clown for this year.  I can’t stand him.  He lost if for me when he wouldn’t face the media after that Yankkes horror show where the Sox blew the big lead.  What a coward.

  • http://twitter.com/gx5 Patrick Gordon

     Overreact much?

  • Brandon G.

    Baseball is a game of habit.  It’s really hard to stop a habit when you’ve done it for so long…we all have them!  I’m sure you have a pesky habit that you can’t get rid of…Cody Ross is the same way.  I find Ross to be a very respectable ballplayer, one who tries his best to do well and isn’t arrogant about it.

  • RM

    Maybe if the team wasn’t in last place I wouldn’t feel this way.

  • AwesomeMcKillguy

     Shut up. You’re just as much of an entitled douche.

  • Titletown1

    Hmmm, no Rondo and a win against the number one team in the east…..but I’m just sayin’.

  • Bruinman86

    One of the best games I’ve watched them play all season.  I only wish that they could put this kind of effort out every night.  Guess they aren’t paid enough…..  BS

  • Jimmie likes our team now.

    Now we will see the real Celtic team. We don’t need Rondo. Now is the time to trade him to the Dodgers.. Bring in Cousins 

  • Christina

    Best game I’ve seen in a LONG time bc they were playing with everything they had in them and left it ALL on the court. I love this team! Everyone is going to have to step up now. Rondo is a great player and has alot of passion, but with him being done for the season, we’re gonna see what every player has to bring to the table. Great effort and I’m glad they did in in Boston against the team in first place. Seeing that team was the Heat, made the win, all the sweeter. Go C’s

  • Rrsglou

    Great win for the Celtics!  This team finally showed some true grit and heart in closing out a game.  This just might be what the Doctor ordered to get this team playing the way it should have been from the start of the season.  No one wishes anyone to get hurt, especially our AllStar PG, but this was a great chance for our young talent to step up and show us what they had, and to be honest, I was pleasantly surprised.  It will be interesting to see how they play in the weeks ahead.  

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