Schmidt: Bautista disrespected opponent with bat flip

Legendary Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt is the latest Hall of Famer to chide Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista's controversial bat flip in Game 5 of the American League Division Series last season.

Two weeks after Goose Gossage called Bautista a "disgrace to the game" for the flip, Schmidt had this to say about the home run celebration in an essay published by The Associated Press:

Why do so many players today feel the need to embellish their success with some sort of hand signal to the dugout? What got more attention in last year's postseason than a bat toss by Jose Bautista? Pointing to the sky is child's play compared to that moment in the postseason on national TV. A flagrant disrespect of the opponent like that would have gotten somebody hurt back in the day.

Today more pitchers, like hitters, are letting emotion loose. But where is the line and what or who determines crossing it and the penalty? The players used to settle issues themselves. Cross the line and someone had to pay. Nearly always the players got it right and settled it themselves. Umpires are now the baseball police, which has made the game safer but also softer.

Baseball demands a certain level of dignity toward the opponent. It's part of its charm. Sure, you have to be tough and stand up for yourself, but only when the line is crossed. I've been there, I've charged the mound, I've been in several brawls, they aren't fun.

Be the kind of player you want kids to emulate by playing with dignity and class. Baseball demands it.

Schmidt claims the most emotion he's ever displayed on the field was after he hit his 500th career home run in 1987. He says he was always careful not to disrespect any pitcher.

The three-time National League MVP was an emotional wreck, however, while announcing his retirement from the game.

Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench is another old-school player that has expressed his disgust with bat flips, specifically targeting Bryce Harper's excessive celebrations.