Mariners scout involved in Montero confrontation refutes ice-cream sandwich report
A Seattle Mariners scout who allegedly heckled Jesus Montero during a minor-league game Thursday says a report claiming he provoked the first baseman by sending him an ice cream sandwich in the dugout is not true.
Butch Baccala told the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker in a phone interview Friday that what actually happened is "not what is being portrayed."
According to a report on MiLB.com (see story below), an unidentified team cross-checker believed to be Baccala told Montero to hustle off the field, before sending him an ice cream sandwich in the Everett AquaSox dugout.
Montero, who arrived at Spring Training 40 pounds overweight, allegedly threw the ice cream sandwich at Baccala and had to be restrained from confronting the 52-year-old scout in the stands with a bat.
"Of course I wasn’t [trying to provoke Montero],’’ Baccala told the Times. "Why would I? I work for the Mariners. I’ve worked my ass off for the Mariners. Why would I do anything to hurt anybody. That wasn’t even close to the intention.’"
Baccala said he didn't want to divulge any more details until he spoke with Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, saying, "I don't want to lose my job."
More from the Times:
Baccala at first denied the ice-cream sandwich story, then said he couldn’t comment on it one way or the other. He suggested a reporter check whether they even sell ice-cream sandwiches at Memorial Stadium in Boise, where the game was played.
Todd Rahr, president and general manager of the Boise Hawks, who oversees operations at the stadium, confirmed that ice cream sandwiches are sold there during games. Rarh added that “out of respect to the Mariners organization’’ he was referring all other questions about the incident to them.
Montero, recovering from a strained oblique, was coaching first base for the AquaSox in anticipation of beginning a rehab assignment with the club's Class-A affiliate Friday.
The Mariners organization says it's investigating the incident and reserving comment until it has all the details.