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It's not as if Brian Wilson(notes) needs another advantage over opposing batters. The San Francisco Giants closer, after all, currently leads the bigs with 30 saves, wields a 1.99 ERA and has 62 strikeouts in just over 45 innings.  

But if there's another edge for Wilson to hold, it's gotta be in the bright orange shoes that he debuted at the All-Star Game and then wore during the ninth inning of San Francisco's 6-4 win over Florida on Tuesday night.

That's because the mere sight of Wilson's kitschy kicks offended Florida Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez to the point of complaining to the umps about them.

[Photos: See more of the hard-throwing Brian Wilson]

And if a rival manager is focusing on your shoes?

Well, I'm going to guess that he and his charges are probably not concentrating on more important aspects of winning the game.  

From the Palm Beach Post:

"A little bit too bright, too flashy," said Rodriguez, who complained to umpires at the start of the ninth inning.

"We asked if there was any rule about that and he said the rule is more intended for the sleeves and there's no rule for the shoes." [...]

"There's rules for jewelry and all kinds of things. Shoes like that are a little bit too much," he said.

"I think there should be a rule. They should be consistent. There's a rule for the uniform and there should be a rule for the shoes."

Yikes. Wilson's shoes might be ugly, but they're not deserving of baseball banishment.

Look, I don't blame Rodriguez for being distracted and acting like the Fashion Ump. After downloading that photo of Wilson above, I started thinking about creamsicles and had to go to the store to go buy a box. This post would have gone up a lot faster had I been able to focus.  

The Marlins are professional athletes and I'd expect them to be a little more steadfast in their approach. Who the heck looks at a pitcher's shoes when he's throwing a 95-mph fastball with his right arm? Let Wilson wear whatever he wants and then just go out and beat him.

Prove that you can be the Los Angeles Lakers to Wilson's Phoenix Suns.

Or Spain to his Netherlands.

Or the entire NFL against his old-school Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Florida's Dan Uggla(notes) actually hit a home run off Wilson with two outs in the ninth inning despite those shoes, so yes, Rodriguez should keep quiet on this. 

Because as Walkoff Walk's Drew Fairservice so astutely points out, "the Marlins have offended us all with the vast sea of (empty) orange seats for years, what makes these shoes so different?"

Answer: These are a lot more fun for fans to look at.

UPDATE: Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Wilson was fined $1,000 by the National League for "wearing non-conforming shoes and was told that half of each shoe had to be black." Wilson responded by using a Sharpie to color half of the shoes black. 

"Too flashy. I didn't know that's in the rulebook," Wilson said. "Oh it's not in the rulebook. The fact that (Rodriguez) thinks these shoes throw 97 to 100 with cut might be a little far fetched. I guess we should have these checked as performance-enhancing shoes."

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2066 Comments

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  1. Ryan W
    1. Posted by Ryan W Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:43 pm EDT

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    Did anyone complain about Hanley Ramirez's shiny teal metallic shoes to the umps? Didn't think so. What about pitchers with team colored gloves like Francisco Rodriguez's blue glove? Thats right up there with the ball for a part of the windup. I think the orange shoes are awesome and if I were a die hard Giants fan I would a pair.
  2. Greg K
    2. Posted by Greg K Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:44 pm EDT

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    imo, they look pretty sweet and they hit a homer off of him and those shoes, so i dont see what Edwin Rodriguez is talking about.
  3. ryan
    3. Posted by ryan Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:56 pm EDT

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    The orange shoes look very nice. Good job Wilson! And im sorry, you should not be called a professional hitter if you have a lack of concentration when the ball is thrown. Suck it up.
  4. Guesswho
    4. Posted by Guesswho Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:06 pm EDT

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    Ha! This is so dumb. Rodriguez just wants something to complain about, those shoes ROCK
  5. Effage
    5. Posted by Effage Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:08 pm EDT

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    B-Weezy can wear whatever shoes he wants. Doesn't matter if they're black or flashing neon lights: when he throws a 98 mph fastball on the inside corner, I think batters have bigger things to worry about.
  6. John
    6. Posted by John Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:10 pm EDT

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    Dont whine like a little baby! Be professional. If shoes are main concerns then I think Marlins owner should be VERY concerned about their manager.
  7. Nichole
    7. Posted by Nichole Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:13 pm EDT

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    People always have to have something to complain about....seriously!
  8. Bruce
    8. Posted by Bruce Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:14 pm EDT

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    Baseball is the stupidest %#@ing activity ever!
  9. greenlantern1973
    9. Posted by greenlantern1973 Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:14 pm EDT

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    I have to agree with Ryan W. Throw Hanley Ramirez under the bus 1st as his manager before you go throwing an opposing team's player under the bus.
  10. DanaS
    10. Posted by DanaS Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:14 pm EDT

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    Did anyone complain about the Marlins' manager being too much of a wuss to manage in the major leagues.
    Go Giants!!!
  11. MadsFreakyLea
    11. Posted by MadsFreakyLea Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:15 pm EDT

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    OMG!! Really? Some people just have more issues than others!
  12. Patrick
    12. Posted by Patrick Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:15 pm EDT

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    those shoes are pretty sweet looking kicks, I don't blame him for wearing em, and I don't really see how they could be a distraction, to bad I love the Dodgers otherwise I would want a pair of those things
  13. Sparky117
    13. Posted by Sparky117 Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:16 pm EDT

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    funny they complain about his shoes and not that stupid a$$ hairdo
  14. MnM
    14. Posted by MnM Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:16 pm EDT

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    My boyz n i love the shoez wilzon
    we need some 411
  15. Brad
    15. Posted by Brad Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:16 pm EDT

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    That is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. Boo Hoo!!!!! It's not like they were reflective metallic or something... maybe that's next game!
  16. Michael
    16. Posted by Michael Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:16 pm EDT

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    what about Hanley he wheres stupid shoes like that also
  17. KristenP
    17. Posted by KristenP Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:17 pm EDT

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    if you can get easily distracted by shoes then clearly you're not a good baseball player and probably shouldnt be in professional leagues.
  18. silkky
    18. Posted by silkky Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:17 pm EDT

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    AH, COME ON MAN! If you really are focusing on his shoes, then you deserve to lose the ballgame. Focus.
  19. Tony Neemish
    19. Posted by Tony Neemish Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    I'm complaining because Wilson's shoes look S-T-U-P-I-D!
    Who cares. Hit the ball!!!!!
  20. FRK
    20. Posted by FRK Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    I thought the whole idea in baseball was to watch the ball? Not the pitchers shoes,hat,glove or anything to that nature.......just watch the ball and quit being freak'n whiners.......just a bunch of overpaid sissys if you ask me.
  21. Garret
    21. Posted by Garret Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    I needs me a pair of them thar shoes!
  22. wow
    22. Posted by wow Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    "Wilson's shoes may be ugly, but they're not deserving of baseball banishment."
    Those shoes are sick haha!!
  23. AmotivatedStoner
    23. Posted by AmotivatedStoner Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    I agree with these posts, what a whiny little d-bag.
  24. Melissa
    24. Posted by Melissa Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    I don't see what the big deal is. The shoes look fine to me!
  25. The Judge
    25. Posted by The Judge Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:18 pm EDT

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    Oh Rodriguez, STFU.

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