Dallas Braden Stands Up For The Little Guy, Talks Smack To Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez should know better: you do not disrespect a man named "Dallas."

During Thursday's A's-Yankees game, Alex Rodriguez -- who was standing on first -- rounded third on a Robinson Cano foul ball. When he returned to first base, he took a direct path over the pitcher's mound. And Mr. Dallas Braden did not like that very much.

"He should probably take a note from his captain over there and realize you don't cross the pitcher's mound in between an inning or during the game. I was just dumbfounded that he would let that slip his mind -- being someone of such status."

[...]

"I don't care if I'm Cy Young or the 25th man on the roster, if I've got the ball in my hand and I'm on that mound, that's my mound ... He ran across the pitcher's mound foot on my rubber. No, not happening. We're not the door mat anymore."

How did A-Rod respond? Just like you think he would:

"He just told me to get off his mound," Rodriguez said. "That was a little surprising. I'd never quite heard that, especially from a guy that has a handful of wins in his career.

"I didn't even know he was talking to me. I've never heard of that in my career. I still don't know. I thought it was pretty funny, actually."

Classy, A-Rod. Just be ready to get plunked next time The Dude Named Dallas is staring at you and you have to stand in the batter's box. Let's see if you walk across that pitcher's mound again.

{H/T Big League Stew)