Contreras throws bat at coach, gum bucket onto field after ejection
St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Willson Contreras threw his bat at a coach and tossed a bucket of chewing gum onto the field at Busch Stadium Monday after a fiery ejection.
Willson Contreras was so mad at this umpire that he threw a bat that hit his own coach and then launched a bunch of Hi-Chew onto the field pic.twitter.com/fslJY71FS6
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 26, 2025
Contreras was upset with home plate umpire Derek Thomas after he was called out on strikes in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 33-year-old appeared to scream obscenities at the umpire and had to be restrained by his coaching staff before being dragged toward the Cardinals' dugout.
"I don't think he had a reason to throw me out," Contreras said after the game, according to STL Pinch Hits.
"I didn't argue any pitch in any at-bat. I didn't argue any pitch in my last at-bat. The only thing I said was 'call those pitches on both sides because you're missing for us.'"
Contreras said he was wasn't upset with Thomas about the strike zone, but because "apparently he heard something I said. I did not say that."
The veteran infielder added that he apologized to hitting coach Brant Brown, who was the person struck by his bat.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was also ejected by Thomas.