Cubs' Contreras: Ump ejected coach because I didn't thank him
Civility apparently goes a long way in the eyes of veteran big-league umpire Greg Gibson.
On Saturday, Gibson was umpiring home plate in Cincinnati, where the Reds were hosting the Chicago Cubs. While Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was hitting in the fourth inning, a strange sequence occurred that saw him step out of the batter's box repeatedly, eventually leading to bench coach Brandon Hyde being ejected.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
What Hyde said from the dugout that eventually led to his being run isn't clear, but following the game, Contreras insisted his failure to thank Gibson for granting him time during the at-bat led to the removal.
"It was really a difficult situation and I tried to handle it as best I could," Contreras told reporters, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "The umpire said something to me that I didn't really like, and it got to the point where I looked over to the bench to get a little backup just because I didn't want to get thrown out and cost the team. It all happened because I had asked for time out, and apparently I didn't thank him."
"I never argued a single ball or strike," he continued. "I kept my mouth shut. I wasn't arguing about anything else.
"He said something to me that I didn't think he needed to say. I'm here because I've earned my spot here, and I just didn't appreciate what he said."
Contreras went on to say he believed Gibson said something personal to him. The 49-year-old arbiter, a veteran of 21 major-league seasons, didn't speak with reporters to give his side of the story, according to Sullivan.
Manager Joe Maddon was unconcerned by the incident, chalking it up to "one of those moments" in the aftermath of his team's 11-2 defeat.
Contreras continued to take the high road postgame, noting that he made sure to compliment Gibson's strike zone following the contest.
"I'm from Venezuela and I have morals and I have values," the 26-year-old said, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. "I thanked him for calling a good game and that's what I'm hoping he learns about me after this game."