There are many ways to show leadership in sports: mentor young players, lead by example, or, if you’re Prince Fielder, commit assault & battery.

On Monday night, Fielder shoved Brewers pitcher & teammate Manny Parra because Parra seemed uninterested in hanging around the dugout after being pulled from the game. Going by the “Oh, crap, I’m about to get wasted by a guy who outweighs me by two bills” expression on Parra’s face, I’m guessing from now on he’ll be the first guy at the park in the morning and the last to leave after the game. Message received, Prince.

For what it’s worth, Fielder did apologize for almost snapping the Brewers pitcher in two, but isn’t sorry for his extremely competitive nature.

I apologize for the way it went down, but I don’t apologize for the passion and intensity. I definitely could have handled it a little better, but just at that moment, that’s how it went down. I can’t take it back. The way I handled it probably could have been dealt with better.”

Parra would like to agree with Fielder’s sentiments, but fears he’ll be eaten if he speaks out of turn. Fair enough.

Manager Ned Yost appeared unfazed by the dugout rumpus.

“I just don’t want cookie-cutter players,” Yost said. “I want guys that compete. I want guys that play with fire and passion. And sometimes when you do, things like that happen

“I’d much rather deal with this than a bunch of guys sitting on the bench getting their butts kicked every day and not caring about it, to be honest with you.”

Translation: If intrasquad Code Reds would improve the Brewers’ slipping postseason hopes, we’d see it every night.