Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price struggled through an atrocious playoff outing on Saturday, giving up seven runs — including two homers — in seven innings of work against the Boston Red Sox. Then the MLB star and 2012 Cy Young Award winner took to Twitter for a meltdown that made his on-field performance look fine by comparison.
After the game, Price bickered with critical fans, flaunted his career credentials and, most memorably, issued an all-caps "SAVE IT NERDS" edict to a pair of baseball analysts. On Sunday, he apologized for the rant — again on Twitter — but by then, his outburst had earned criticism around the web.
See also: Newborn Babies Dressed as Pirates Are Cutest Fans Ever
Here, below, is Price's string of Saturday night tweets, which began with a relatively innocent post:
Trust me I don't want sympathy...I got beat tonight...so be it..I'll bounce back...3x ALLSTAR...2 time player choice...runner up cy...AND CY
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
It then quickly devolved:
Better question is why do you follow me?? RT @theReal_JonJon: @DAVIDprice14 why do you cry and complain about PAPI when he takes you yard?
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
No you forgot CLEAN sweep of every college award...NEVER BEEN DONE RT @mbschultz74: @DAVIDprice14 you forgot Brooks Wallace award winner too
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
not bragging...you can google that..true fans understand..fake one don't..PERIOD RT @Yons18: @DAVIDprice14 This is the ultimate humble brag.
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
not bragging...just a simple reminder RT @mpistark: @DAVIDprice14 you don't have to brag man. Damn
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
It finally ended with his coup de grace against TBS analysts Dirk Hayhurst and Tom Verducci:
Dirk Hayhurst...COULDNT hack it...Tom Verducci wasn't even a water boy in high school...but yet they can still bash a player...SAVE IT NERDS
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
For what it's worth, here's Price's Sunday apology:
Last night got out of hand and I apologize for the things that I said on here...if I offended you I am very sorry for doing so...#thatsnotme
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013
Veteran broadcaster Keith Olbermann, a colleague of both Hayhurst and Verducci, shot back at Price on Twitter:
Save it for a day you didn't get lit up RT @DAVIDprice14 Dirk Hayhurst...COULDNT hack it...Tom Verducci wasn… http://t.co/UJmzTkIiKt
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) October 6, 2013
The "if" defines this as a non-apology apology RT @DAVIDprice14 Last night got out of hand and I apologize f… http://t.co/7vzYLp3nOf
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) October 6, 2013
And this is why it's wise to stay away from Twitter in times of emotional turmoil.
BONUS: Inside One Fan's Ultimate Man Cave
He's a 40-year-old, married father of one who lives in the suburbs of Chicago.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
But it's just one of two separate bar areas.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Stewart met his wife at a Cubs game and proposed to her at Wrigley. They had a Cubs-themed wedding.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Because sometimes you get tired of watching sports and want to dust off the ol' athleticism.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Also pinball machines.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
This isn't just a man cave; there are separate restrooms for dudes and dudettes.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
The urinal features a 24-inch, wall-mounted TV.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Right next to the air hockey table, baby.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Stewart's lair is Cubs-themed, but he's a Chicago Bears fan too. He'll typically have 20 to 30 people over for football games.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
There are nine of these theater seats.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Beer on tap, a commercial beer fridge and a full liquor bar, that is.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Stewart uses a company called Control4 to manage all that entertainment in one connected system, making it easy to keep a handle on the fun.
Image: Control4
Those are signed jerseys of Cubs Hall of Famers, and you'll notice the signed bats above them.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Altogether, Stewart owns more than 250 signed balls, all by Cubs players.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
I mean, just look at this thing.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
It's located in Stewart's basement, which he estimates to be about 2,100 square feet.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
The 400-foot marker in centerfield is a popular photo-opp spot for visiting fans.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Like, seriously: This place has everything.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
If you hadn't noticed, that circular, custom-designed bar is actually the Cubs' "C" logo.
Image: Sean Geraty/Sonic Low Voltage
Images: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images