The Cubs brought back former ace Jake Arrieta this season in hopes of rediscovering some of the form that won him the 2015 National League Cy Young Award. Instead, Arrieta has put together some of the worst performances of his career, and his off-the-field remarks haven’t helped his cause either.
Arrieta had already opened the season with irresponsible anti-vaccine comments, so it wasn’t exactly surprising to see his thoughts on masks fall into the same realm. But when Arrieta chose to mock a reporter over wearing a mask after allowing 8 runs in four innings on Wednesday, it appeared to be the final straw for the Cubs.
Jake Arrieta was a "surly, selfish, science-denying tool" in requesting a reporter should take his mask off.
Listen to full segment with @mullyhaugh @DavidHaugh: https://t.co/dMUeDS3btg pic.twitter.com/9CL7lMhIcY
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) August 12, 2021
Arrieta said to a reporter after the Cubs’ 10-0 loss:
“It’s not hard, Bruce. And I’d love you to take your mask off. I don’t think anybody’s around you.”
Come Thursday, the Cubs had seen enough. They announced that Arrieta had been placed on the unconditional release waivers, ending his tenure with the club.
Jake Arrieta has been placed on unconditional release waivers.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) August 12, 2021
Arrieta posted a 6.88 ERA in 20 appearances this season, but it’s one thing to tolerate an underperforming vet who at least adds value in the clubhouse. Arrieta, though, choosing to bully a reporter after a question about mentoring young players clearly sent a message to the front office where the pitcher’s priorities were.
He made this comment to @MLBBruceLevine. I heard the audio (which we'll play on @BernsteinRahimi). Bruce was perfectly audible. Zero sound issues or muffling. Arrieta was just being a jerk. Imagine worrying about someone's mask after getting humiliated on the mound like that. https://t.co/yMwPTzYXXJ
— Jay Zawaski (@JayZawaski670) August 12, 2021
Ironically, despite his anti-vaccine stance, Jake Arrieta's arm is shot.
— Sean Holland (@sth85) August 12, 2021
You can’t blame the Cubs for moving on after that.
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