Cardinals’ Willson Contreras Explains What Led to His Ejection
The St. Louis Cardinals had a dramatic night against the Pittsburgh Pirates—not only with Alec Burleson’s walk-off home run but also with Willson Contreras being ejected earlier in the game.
Contreras struck out and was tossed by home plate umpire Derek Thomas after making a comment. He reacted angrily, continuing to argue before throwing his bat, which accidentally hit his hitting coach, and later flung his gum onto the field while heading to the clubhouse.
After the game, Contreras explained his side of the story.
“I don’t think he had any reason to throw me out,” Contreras said. “I didn’t argue any pitch in any at-bat. The only thing I said was, ‘Call the pitches for both sides, because you’re missing for us.’”
Contreras insisted he never used vulgar language, claiming the umpire misheard him. Manager Oli Marmol was also ejected. However, crew chief Jordan Baker later told reporters that both Contreras and Marmol were using inappropriate language toward Thomas.
Despite the controversy, Contreras complimented the umpire afterward:
“I knew I struck out on a good pitch. He’s a good umpire, but all I said was call the pitches for both sides.”
The incident went viral after Contreras accidentally hit his coach with his bat. MLB could issue a suspension, and the situation may have been far worse had an umpire been struck.
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