Los Angeles Angels star Anthony Rendon, who has not played since July 4, talked to a reporter looking for an update on his condition.
Or rather, he didn’t talk, really. He talked just enough to get himself in trouble.
The veteran third baseman gave a terse, four-word response: “No habla inglés today.”
Rendon donned a hoodie and left the clubhouse after that Sunday encounter with The Athletic‘s Sam Blum.
Anthony Rendon, when asked for an injury update: “No habla inglés today.”
He then put on a hoodie and left the clubhouse.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) September 4, 2023
The comment angered many fans. While some were mad about the casual cultural appropriation, it would have been just as offensive to many if he had said it in English. It simply was not a good look for Rendon. who is on the 60-day IL with a shin injury.
Fans and reporters don’t need a daily update on a player’s injury rehab, but an update now and then is expected.
Rendon, who signed a seven-year, $245 million free-agent deal with the Angels before the 202o season, has put up disappointing numbers. After a good showing in the Covid-shortened 2020 season, he’s hit only 13 home runs in three seasons since, playing only 148 games.
So fans, and the media, have a right to wonder when he will return.
Rendon’s callous dismissal of a reporter for simply asking the question led the baseball world to sharpen its knives. The popular Foolish Baseball Twitter account broke the Internet with a spoof post, claiming “When asked about his injury timetable today, Anthony Rendon slowly produced a Colt Paterson revolver and shot me in the shin. He remains on the 60-day IL.”
The account followed up with a fake “Community Notes” warning saying, “This did not happen. User is not an Angels beat writer.”
When asked about his injury timetable today, Anthony Rendon slowly produced a Colt Paterson revolver and shot me in the shin. He remains on the 60-day IL.
❕ 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕟. 𝕌𝕤𝕖𝕣 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒𝕟 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣.
— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) September 4, 2023
"His act is so tired"
Chris Rose sounds off on Anthony Rendon for saying "No Habla Ingles Today" to a reporter.
WATCH: https://t.co/S2YgK5sR9n
LISTEN: https://t.co/1dYGYAVAot
AMP: https://t.co/h0gL9cBRYg pic.twitter.com/QClbgoFrvr— Chris Rose Sports (@ChrisRoseSports) September 5, 2023
"I was standing close by when Anthony said what he did"@BillShaikin weighs in on Anthony Rendon blowing off the media.
▶️ https://t.co/eo67xNWGXX pic.twitter.com/gd0ITrORmw
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 5, 2023
Just so we all have some reference on how bad the Anthony Rendon contract has been…
Albert Pujols’ three lowest games played totals in an angels uniform (excluding COVID year):
99 games (‘13)
117 (‘18)
131 (‘19)Anthony Rendon’s last three years under contract in Anaheim:
58… pic.twitter.com/GhfjWvMh0x
— Jake (@D1SCHER) September 4, 2023
The Anthony Rendon saga in the secret base history of the angels documentary will be peak https://t.co/1PTp9psazA
— mutt🪼 (@Iletmykpop) September 5, 2023
I don't know what happened to this guy, but bro, he needs some help. I'm so sorry for Angels fans.
— Josue De Jesus (@josuedjr) September 4, 2023