FILE – In this April 10, 2018, file photo, Chicago Cubs first baseman Ben Zobrist plays in place of the injured Anthony Rizzo during the team’s baseball game against the Pirates of Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Major League Baseball warned Zobrist against wearing black cleats. Zobrist posted a letter from the league office on Instagram saying the cleats he wore on May 2 against Colorado violated the collective bargaining agreement. MLB says they must be at least 51 percent blue – the color of the Cubs – and has warned it could be fined and disciplined if it doesn’t comply. Zobrist says he has worn black cleats during day games at Wrigley Field for the past two years to honor the game’s past. (John Starks/Daily Herald via AP)
Chicago Cubs infielder-flyer Ben Zobrist occasionally sports one of baseball’s most old-school looks when he wears stirrup socks and black spikes.
But Major League Baseball doesn’t think it’s so cool and threatened to fine Zobrist because the shoes don’t match the team’s primary shoe color, which should be 51 percent blue.
Zobrist protested on his Instagram account, starting with: “Dear @mlb, I still love you but this is ridiculous.”
The 36-year-old veteran, 2016 World Series MVP, went on to write: “For the past two years, I have worn black spikes exclusively at Wrigley Field during one-day games to pay homage to the history of our great game. and now I am told that I will be fined and disciplined if I continue to wear them.”
ESPN reported that MLB responded with a statement saying, “We have shoe regulations that were negotiated with the union during the last round of negotiations. If players have any complaints regarding the regulations, they should contact their union that negotiated them We have informed the union that we are willing to negotiate rules that provide more flexibility for players, and this issue is currently being discussed as part of a broader discussion on clothing and equipment. .
After the Cubs beat the White Sox 8-4 on Saturday, Zobrist greeted reporters but said he did not want to discuss the matter until he had spoken with the players’ association and with Major League Baseball .
He is hot:
Catcher Willson Contreras hit his third home run in two games, a 2-run shot in the seventh inning. He homered in consecutive games for the sixth time in his career. He is 10 for 15 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 11 RBIs and 5 runs scored in his last three games.
I don’t look like a beginner:
Rookie David Bote started at second base and had his first career multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and an RBI.
“He seemed to be doing extremely well and he was in no rush,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I like when guys are confident and not in a hurry, and that’s what I saw with him as well.”
