Braun digging in his heels

Ryan Braun's theme song should be changed to Frank Sinatra's "My Way."

Despite antagonizing opponents for "admiring" home runs - and paying for it by being thrown at - the Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder said Tuesday that he had no intention of changing the way he plays the game.

"That's how I live my life," said Braun, who was honored Monday as the National League player of the week. "I live my life in the moment and I think you should enjoy those times.

"I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. I'm not going to admire a home run unless it's a big situation. If we're up by a lot or down by a lot, it's not something I'm going to do.

"It's an emotional thing, a passionate thing. It's not a disrespectful thing or showing anybody up. If somebody strikes me out in that situation and they fist pump, I have no problem with it."

Some folks on the Chicago side were not pleased that Braun watched his decisive two-run homer in the eighth inning Friday night before leaving the batter's box. The next day, a pitch from Cubs starter Ryan Dempster came right at Braun's head, though Braun didn't think it was intentional.

"Everybody's entitled to their own opinion," Braun said. "It doesn't bother me. It's not going to change anything I do or factor into how I play the game.

"I'm going to continue to have fun. That's me; that's the way I am. I guess I'm 'new school.' The people I offend are probably more 'old school.' That's fine."

(jsonline.com)