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I fumbled through several very Buzzfeed-ish titles for this post, but decided to focus on one particular thing: No one likes Jake Arrieta.
Or, more specifically, everyone loves Carlos Santana. Because why wouldn’t you?
If you missed the drama last night, it’s the same story that has lingered for a full calendar year now. During his time in Philadelphia, Carlos Santana got upset that his teammates were playing Fortnite in the clubhouse in the midst of a late-season collapse. As any level-headed human would do, he smashed the damn thing to pieces and was eventually traded back home to Cleveland in the offseason.
Last Thursday, Phillies pitcher and owner of a 3.0 fWAR and 4.26 ERA over his last two seasons in Philadelphia, took issue with it and seemed to think the culture of the 81-81 Phillies this season was better without Santana going Gallagher on TV’s in the clubhouse.
As he told the Philadelphia Inquirer:
“Well, the culture was better here this year without him,” Arrieta said. “I can tell you that.”
And he continued:
“Why it was better without Santana? We had better guys in the clubhouse,” Arrieta said. “That’s it. A lot more veteran presence.”
A few days later, as both men prepared their couches for viewing as other teams took part in the playoffs, Santana decided to respond to the comments with a simple tweet:
night thoughts... pic.twitter.com/6Yt1PrT63l
— Carlos Santana MLB⚾️ (@TheRealSlamtana) October 4, 2019
Hell. Yes.
As you’d expect, Indians fans were all for it, and rallied around their King in the replies. But, surprisingly (or maybe not, I don’t follow the Phillies all that closely), most Phillies fans were on his side as well. The ones I’m choosing to cherry pick were, anyway.
Good teammates don't don't play Fortnite before their starts & rip their teammates in postgame interviews after. We needed more guys like you in the clubhouse!
— Phil E. Phanatic (@Phil_E_Phanatic) October 4, 2019
I'm a Phillies fan, and can say, unequivocally, that Arrieta is a d-bag.
— Tim (@tboneillist) October 4, 2019
Something Phillies fans and players have in common, they both hate Arrieta
— Mark Giannone (@markflagmann) October 4, 2019
Yeah we don’t like him either. Miss you carlos
— . (@Blake_Koeh) October 4, 2019
If it makes you feel better we don’t like Jake in Philly either
— Cole Welch (@colerwelch) October 4, 2019
As a @Phillies fan I appreciate your words and i cant wait till Jakes gone. All he does is blame others. He has been lousy as a player on this team. I wish you much success.
— JC (@chiefjoe1900) October 4, 2019
As a phillies fan.. I rather have you then that clown.
— Mike (@mrick215) October 4, 2019
As a Phillies fan I’m glad you called his ass out, dude is supposed to be a leader, and evidently he’s not doing that in the clubhouse, and certainly not on the field.
— Jawn Jawnson (@Philly4_4_4) October 4, 2019
Most fans here have no issues with what you did and would certainly rather have you back > Jake
— Andrew (@TheGLATman) October 4, 2019
This is far from the first time Arrieta has complained about his teammates in Philadelphia, and it’s not even the first time he’s whined about Carlos Santana last season. But, as far as I know, this is the first time one of his targets decided to shove it back in his face. Add it to the ever growing list of reasons that Carlos Santana is the absolute best.