Tommy Pham currently plays for the worst team in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox. But the veteran doesn’t let that stop him from providing some on-field drama and a memorable quote.
During Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Pham was thrown out at the plate in the top of the eighth inning. After receiving the throw from left fielder Christian Yelich, catcher William Contreras expertly blocked the plate and prevented Pham from scoring, ending the inning.
However, both players did not return to their respective dugouts. Contreras apparently had words for Pham, who slid right into the catcher instead of trying to move around him. And Pham objected to what Contreras said and chased after him until home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez intervened.
Teammates and coaches moved Pham to the dugout to calm him down, but he was still agitated as he walked back to his position in the outfield.
After the game, Pham was asked about the incident by reporters and did not let go of his hard feelings toward Contreras.
“I’m nailed by a mile at home, I go to the dugout and I hear the tough guy with all that ‘hoo-rah’ s***,” Pham said. “I never start anything, but I’ll be willing to finish it. There’s a reason I do all kinds of fights in the offseason. Because I’m willing to kick someone’s ass.”
That would add another meaning to the term “slugger” in Pham’s case.
However, Pham did acknowledge that he was easily thrown out at the plate, perhaps giving some shade to third base coach Eddie Rodriguez for sending him to left field with a relatively shallow fly ball.
“There’s a reason I do all kinds of fights in the offseason. Because I’m willing to kill someone” -Tommy Pham pic.twitter.com/REBPGPj5BX
— CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) June 2, 2024
Pham certainly looked like he was ready to fight, loosening his shoulders like a boxer as he walked toward the outfield. He’s been in the news for feuds before, most notably in 2022 when he punched Joc Pederson over a dispute in their fantasy football league. Earlier that season, Pham challenged Luke Voit to a fight after a hard slide from teammate Tyler Stephenson.
Last year in San Diego, Pham got into a verbal altercation with a fan who was heckling him in the on-deck circle. The fan claimed Pham was looking for a fight, but Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo defended Pham, saying he received a lot of abuse from Padres fans.
Perhaps fortunately for everyone involved, the White Sox and Brewers will not be playing again this season. So there shouldn’t be any concern that Pham will revisit his hostilities with Contreras.
