Tensions reached a boiling point during the Chicago White Sox matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the eighth inning with Milwaukee clinging to a one-run lead.
Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich made a crucial catch on Corey Julks’ flyball and swiftly threw a pinpoint strike to William Contreras, who tagged out Pham as he attempted to tie up the game.
After the play, words were exchanged between Contreras and Pham as the Brewers catcher bounced up from the tag and looked back at Pham, sparking a heated confrontation on the field.
Reflecting on the altercation, Contreras stated through an interpreter, “I really wasn’t paying attention to what he had to say. I didn’t know what he was saying in my direction.”
Pham, however, offered a different perspective on the play, and expressed what exactly set him off.
“It was a shallow fly ball to left field. You would expect the left fielder to throw the baserunner out on that play,” Pham remarked.
“The third-base coach sends you, you’ve got to go. I’m nailed out at home by a mile. I’m going to the dugout. I hear the tough guy [Contreras] with all the hoorah sh*t … I never start anything, but I’ll be prepared to finish it.”
Asserting his readiness to defend himself, Pham, a veteran known for his fiery demeanor, added, “There’s a reason why I do all kinds of fighting in the offseason. ‘Cause I’m prepared to f*ck somebody up … So, take it as what it is.”
The clash between Pham and Contreras added fuel to the fiery matchup, with the Brewers ultimately securing a 6-3 victory over the White Sox, marking Chicago’s 11th consecutive loss.
Pham, who joined the White Sox on a minor league deal in April, has been a solid contributor to the team this season.
He’s currently batting .280 with three home runs and 12 RBI’s for the struggling White Sox who are sitting with the worst record (15-45) in all of baseball.
What is your take on the heated situation?
Do you think Pham was out of line? … Or was it Contreas who truly started the whole thing?
While on the topic, who are the top 5 players in all of baseball who you wouldn’t want to mess with???