'Mad Dog' Russo calls out Harper: 'Stop tweeting when you stunk'
Chris "Mad Dog" Russo isn't impressed by MLB players who are tweeting that they're ready to show up whenever the league tells them to.
"Stop tweeting when you stunk," Russo said Tuesday on "Mad Dog Sports Radio."
I'm not interested in hearing from @MLB Players tweeting that they are ready to go, especially the ones that have under-performed their contracts! pic.twitter.com/c7reQNxRqV
— Chris Mad Dog Russo (@MadDogUnleashed) June 16, 2020
Russo specifically called out Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper.
"Bryce Harper's getting paid $336 million," Russo said. "He's not Gerrit Cole. He got paid $336 million. If you don't live up to money and you stink, as he did, I can't listen to you tell me, 'I'm raring to go.'
"How about last year? You were awful."
On Tuesday, Harper joined the chorus of MLB players to let the league know they're ready to play.
Tell us when and where. https://t.co/hy157hOYkl
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) June 16, 2020
Harper hit .260/.372/.510 with 35 home runs, 36 doubles, 15 stolen bases, and 114 RBIs in his first season with the Phillies. He was worth 4.6 WAR, according to FanGraphs.
Russo also called out Cincinnati Reds right-hander Trevor Bauer, San Diego Padres infielder Manny Machado, and Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland, though he referred to the latter as "Kevin" Freeland.
Talks between MLB and the MLBPA regarding the 2020 season continue to be unproductive. The league is reportedly reluctant to impose a schedule because commissioner Rob Manfred is worried about a potential grievance the union can file.