Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing makes promise after April’s viral antic

Not only are they the reigning World Series champions, but the Los Angeles Dodgers also feature one of the more enigmatic young players in the game, who is quickly garnering a reputation for his ability to get under the skin of both the opposition and the umpire crew.

Second-year pro catcher Dalton Rushing has run afoul of multiple teams so far during his young career. He has also been known to feud with umpires over what he feels are questionable calls at the plate.

Despite his reputation, he doesn’t want the opposition to view him as a “bad” guy – but also noted that he’s not going to change the way he plays.

“I don’t want guys to look at me as a bad guy on and off the field,’’ Rushing said via The New York Times. “But at the same time, I’m not going to change my game. I’m going to play the same way that I have. I’m going to control the things that are said.

Meanwhile, his teammate Freddie Freeman expressed a belief in Rushing and his confidence level.

“Dalton can sometimes black out on a baseball field, but he believes in himself,” Freeman said. “He cares so much about wanting to be good, so you can’t fault someone for that. That would just be taking away something from who Dalton Rushing is. So for me, I’m not gonna ever tell him not to do that. I mean, maybe watch what you’re saying on cameras, you know, and stuff like that.

So far this season, Rushing has hit seven home runs with 17 RBI along with a .328 batting average.