Octavio Dotel speaks in defence of Al Alburquerque’s infamous kiss in Game 2 of ALDS – MLB News
Reporters at the Comerica Park gathered around Al Alburquerque, holding microphones and cellphones, hoping that he will answer their questions. After Alburquerque gave what is now called the most infamous kiss in baseball, he became the centre of attention
in the entire baseball World.
However, it was his team-mate and fellow reliever Octavio Dotel who responded to the journalists from 12 meters away. He shouted as loud as he could to defend his team-mate. Octavio said it was not a big deal if Alburquerque kissed the ball.
“What’s the big (bleeping) deal!?” Dotel yelled. “So he kissed the (bleeping) ball. Hey, Alburquerque, if you keep getting (bleeping) outs, you can kiss the ball every (bleeping) time!”
According to a leading sports website, when Alburquerque fielded a hit by Oakland’s slugger Yoenis Cespedes in Game 2 of the five match American League Divisional Series, he kissed the baseball before throwing it back to first base for the final out of the
game. Tigers held on to clinch a narrow win in the ninth and claimed a vital 2-0 series lead.
“If they lose three games here, then it comes back to bite them,” Balfour said, who seemed to have no control over his emotions.
“That’s his problem. That doesn’t bother me,” Cespedes said. “I said (I would kiss the bat) but I won’t do that. I’m a professional.”
Tigers’ hard throwing ace Justin Verlander also had some words for the journalists. He reminded them that Oakland’s closer Grant Balfour is also not supposed to shout and scream every time he finished off an opposing team.
“Oh, yeah!” Dotel shouted. “He can (bleeping) do it and it’s not a big deal, right? (Bleep) that, Alburquerque! Keep kissing that (bleep).”
Having won first two games of the series, it is easy to understand why the scenes were comical in the Tigers’ club house on Monday. However, the A’s were not laughing at all in their club house and it will be interesting to see if they channel their anger
in the right direction to keep the ALDS series alive.
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