Whether at the major-league or minor-league level, baseball teams will try just about anything to get under the skin of an opponent.
Apparently the Washington Nationals have found a way to do that to Philadelphia Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg.
While hosting the Phillies last week, the Nationals played a variety of soft pop songs, often with gloomy undertones, while the Phillies were taking batting practice.
According to a story on FoxSports.com, song choices included "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen, REM's "Everybody Hurts" and "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas.
Sandberg wasn't amused by the tactic and had strong words for the Nationals and their game operations staff.
"It's bush league, and irrelevant," said Sandberg, who is in his third season as the Phillies' manager. "What's the point?"
Phillies players had mixed feelings about the tactic.
"I mean, come on," outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "If you did it one time it's funny, but we come here so many times."
Pitcher Justin De Fratus took a more light-hearted approach.
"I don't think there's any malice behind it," De Fratus said. "I think it's funny. They played that Fievel Goes West song yesterday. If anything, it's a change of pace from some of the stuff we hear every day."
For his part, Sandberg said he's going to hold the Nationals accountable for the ploy and plans to retaliate during the team's next visit to Philadelphia on June 26-28.
"We'll take care of that," he said. "We're going with the silent treatment at our place."
One devoted fan
Some fans buy season tickets to show their support for their favorite team. Some fans buy hats, T-shirts, foam fingers and the like.
Milwaukee Brewers fan Matt Tyler took his support for the team to a whole new level.
Tyler built a one-of-a-kind, fully functional grill that is a replica of Miller Park in Milwaukee. He's dubbed it "Griller Park."
Tyler, 27, is an engineer who spent $200 to build the grill. It weighs 100 pounds and will make its debut this weekend before a Brewers game.
He told WISN-TV in Milwaukee he came up with the idea seven years ago, but finally made it happen three weeks ago when he figured out a way to make the grill open. Now that it does, the retractable roof shows that even the inside of "Griller Park" looks like a baseball diamond.
When asked by a WISN reporter why he built the grill, Tyler had a straightforward response.
"I guess mostly because I could," Tyler said.
The response drew kudos from Yahoo! Sports blogger Mike Oz.
"D*** right," Oz wrote. "Because this is America, because we have freedom. And brats to grill.
"He has the eternal right to say, 'You bring the brats, I'll bring the grill. No, trust me, you'll want to see this.' "
Sports quiz
How many Gold Glove awards did Ryne Sandberg win?
Answer
Sandberg won nine consecutive awards as the second baseman for the Chicago Cubs in 1983-1991.
Sports on 05/29/2015