Fernando Tatis Jr.'s villainous tale takes a beautiful turn after the Padres' win over the Dodgers

Almost every book ever written or film ever made has a villain. The battle between good and evil is a story as old as time and finds its way into all areas of life. even sports. The San Diego Padres are no exception to the rule.

Just as every novel or play needs a villain, every sport needs a villain. Throughout baseball history, players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez have certainly taken on the role of the sport's greatest villain at one time or another. Even Manny Machado of the Padres is viewed negatively by many opposing fan bases.

But Fernando Tatis Jr. may have already usurped his teammate as the biggest villain on the Padres roster. And if that's not the sentiment throughout Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers fan base certainly feels that way about the Friars' superstar.

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s villainous tale takes a beautiful turn after the Padres' win over the Dodgers

Being a villain takes more than just being good. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are really good, and yet these two players are relatively popular across the sport. But Tatis brings a brash, arrogant attitude to the stage. What's even worse for the opposing fan base is that he backs it up with his play on the field.

That was never more evident than in Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers. Although the Friars lost Game 1 to the Dodgers 7-5, it's hard to blame Tatis for the team's shortcomings. The Padres outfielder went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored on Saturday. Tatis got the Padres' hit parade going with a solo shot in the first inning Sunday night at Chavez Ravine. The standout San Diego star hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth and finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.

Of course, the Los Angeles faithful don't like Tatis' bat-throwing, jab-stepping around third base, over-the-top celebrations, and obscene dancing in the outfield; especially at the expense of the Dodgers. And while fans of the Dodgers and others in baseball may not like Tatis' brash approach to the game, that's just Nando being Nando.

The Padres need more of the same from Fernando Tatis Jr. in Game 3 of the NLDS vs. Dodgers

After the series ends Sunday night, there's no way manager Mike Shildt will be asking Tatis to take the reins. In fact, the Padres captain might demand even more from the 25-year-old ahead of Tuesday's clash at Petco Park.

Game 3 of the NLDS had the potential to swing the series one way or the other, and the question the Friar faithful are dying to see answered is whether the villains win this game and the Padres take a 2-1 lead will bring or not chance of winning the series.

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