Bob Uecker is very fond of Adam Dunn. It's obvious from the way he talks about Dunn that he's a fan of him as a player and a person. The feeling seems to be mutual as Dunn took some time out on Saturday to welcome Uecker back to the booth after he missed several months because of heart surgery. The only problem is that Dunn welcomed Uecker back during the second inning of a game between the Nationals and the Brewers when, presumably, most people would expect he'd be concentrating on the task at hand. Dunn wasn't in the starting lineup and it was only the second inning when he suddenly appeared on Uecker's broadcast but it still seemed likely that he would be punished for it.
Dunn was scolded Tuesday by Nats manager Jim Riggleman and G.M. Mike Rizzo for his unapproved jaunt from the dugout to the radio booth, but he avoided the fine that he said he'd be happy to pay when asked about it on Sunday.
Riggleman and Rizzo had no choice but to address it and they did so in the right way. Fining him, even if the money was directed to the American Heart Association, would have been kinda petty for something that took a matter of seconds and had no impact on the team or the game.
Dunn wasn't likely to be called on as a defensive replacement during the top of the second and he clearly didn't mean any disrespect to the team when he went calling on Uecker, but being in the clubhouse or dugout is part of the job requirements. He could have seen Uecker before the game or asked Riggleman if it was okay or handled it any number of other ways without raising any ruckus.
That said, it's pretty cool that Dunn did it because it shows a lot of love for one of baseball's great characters. J.P. Ricciardi might not like Dunn's passion, but we do and we are thankful that his visit allowed Uecker to get off a great line.
"You've been telling me for years you're gonna go out fishin' with me, and one of these days we gotta do it before you either hang 'em up or I take a dixie."
Let's hope it is a good long while before either of those things happen.
Eric Holder Personally Approved Controversial Fox News Warrant
Bridge Collapses In Washington State
Senate Confirms Key Obama Nominee As Filibuster Fight Looms
Warren's First Bill Already Seeing Strong Wave Of Support
'Well That Was Actually Pointless'
Emergency Landing Prompts Closure Of Heathrow Runways
McCain: We Should Only Have To Pay For Cable Channels We Watch
Sequestration Hits National Parks Just In Time For Tourist Season
Anti-Abortion Leader Compares Rape And Incest To Accidents
Polls Show How Americans Targeting Ire Over Gun Checks
NOAA Releases 2013 Hurricane Season Predictions
Horror In Bethesda
Steve King Points Finger At Reagan For Helping Obama Get Elected
Bill O'Reilly: 'I'm The Fairest Guy On The Planet'
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
McDonald's Quietly Offers Ohio Hero Free Food For Year
This Major Stock Collapse Is A Serious Warning For The U.S.
Tom Coburn Ratchets Down Opposition To Tornado Relief Bill
Powerful Earthquake Hits Russia's Far East
Senate GOP At Odds With Tea Party On Budget Negotiations
Farm State Senator Defends 'Monsanto Protection Act'
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
U.S. Drone Guidelines Could Reduce 'Signature Strikes'
Newtown Gets Major Gift From The Government
Obama, Chris Christie To Reunite
Guantanamo Prisoners Watch Obama Speech
Elite Colleges Accused Of Mishandling Sexual Assaults
Boy Scouts To Allow Gay Youths
Could Miscarriages Become Criminal?
Ex-Student Allegedly Planned 'Columbine-Style' Attack At School
