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Before the start of Wednesday’s series finale between the Rockies and Nationals at Coors Field, Colorado outfielder Brandon Barnes and Washington reliever Aaron Barrett got into a heated stare-down standoff.
And by heated, we mean it was hot outside.
In a 162-game season, an airing of grievances is occasionally necessary — and, in baseball tradition, the National Anthem standoff is one of those outlets.
Game 6 of last season’s National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and Cardinals was delayed by 12 minutes while L.A.’s Scott Van Slyke and St. Louis’ Joe Kelly battled in a staring contest.
First rule of National Anthem Standoff is… THERE ARE NO RULES.
But here are the parameters: After the anthem, a player remains where he stood during the anthem, and doesn’t return to the dugout until one player calls uncle (or until an intervening buzzkill; see below).
On Wednesday, Barnes and Barrett each stayed outside their dugouts with hats over hearts.
Washington’s Aaron Barrett, left, in a standoff vs. Rockies’ Brandon Barnes. (MLB screenshot)
But Barrett had help. Washington’s Jerry Blevins applied sunscreen (the rules are not clear about outside interference). Blevins also offered an oxygen mask.
Then, about the time that Bryce Harper applied an elbow pad to Barrett’s right arm and a helmet (in case things got really heated), Barnes offered to break the standoff with a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Right about then, Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa finished his warm-up and Washington lead-off hitter Denard Span came to the plate.
As Denard Span digs in, Aaron Barrett claims victory. Bryce Harper slapped an elbow guard and a helmet on Barrett.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP)
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And home plate umpire Paul Emmel whistled over at Barnes and stared him down to call off the shenanigans. It’s unclear why Emmel forced Barnes into being the adult and calling it off. But Barrett returned to the Nats’ dugout claiming victory.
Home plate umpire makes Brandon Barnes go in _ Aaron Barrett wins the stare-down.
— Patrick Graham (@pgraham34)
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