Alex Rodriguez went from first base to third on a foul ball. On his way back to first he crossed over the pitcher’s mound. A few minutes later Dallas Braden gave him hell.

You know.

THE Dallas Braden?

What, you’ve never heard of him?

Dallas Braden has played part or all of four seasons in the Major Leagues for Oakland. He’s got some skills … and apparently some balls … for standing up to A-Rod. But he also has an all-time career record of 16-21 with an ERA of 4.55.

He’s getting better. He’s 2-0 this year with an ERA under 3.00.

But let’s take a breath here. It’s good to see the Athletics showing some fighting spirit. On the other hand, he’s cussing out Alex Rodriguez, who has just a bit more baseball-cred than the 26-year-old A’s hurler.

“I’d never quite heard that,” Rodriguez told the media afterward. “Especially from a guy who has a handful of wins in his career.”

Zing.

I’m no fan of A-Rod. I think he’s a self-absorbed jackass. But when it comes to all of baseball’s unwritten rules this one has to be one of the most obscure. I wouldn’t doubt that Rodriguez hadn’t heard of it. Not that I’m the end all, but I certainly hadn’t heard of it either.

Furthermore, one would guess that in showing up A-Rod he’s probably going to do nothing more than make sure the Yankee third baseman is even more in the zone than normal the next time they meet.

I guess at the end of the day I respect that Braden has some moxie. But I’m not sure that moxie was mixed with the best of judgment, at least in this particular case.