Bauer wanted Anderson to flip bat after blasting HR against him

An AL MVP candidate went toe-to-toe with an NL Cy Young favorite on Saturday and won.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson demolished Cincinnati Reds right-hander Trevor Bauer with a solo home run to dead center, briefly admired his handiwork, and rounded the bases.

After the game, Bauer jokingly expressed disappointment that Anderson didn't emphatically flip his bat in celebration.

"Tell TA he’s soft for not bat flipping it," Bauer said, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Anderson has shown a propensity for big home run celebrations in the past, drawing the ire of the Kansas City Royals in early 2019.

Bauer defended Anderson when he was met with blowback for violating "unwritten rules." The righty encouraged him to flip his bat but to take it easy when they squared off, which prompted Anderson to promise some showmanship if the faceoff ever occurred.

While he didn't follow through on that promise, Anderson felt the homer did all the necessary talking.

"I was so happy to finally get him," Anderson said. "You know I had to let him know. I walked it out a little bit. What better spot to hit it than dead center? He knew I got it and I watched it. I told him to put it on his YouTube channel as well."