Tommy Pham currently plays for the Chicago White Sox, a team at the bottom of the major leagues, but the veteran hasn't given up on his on-field drama or memorable quotes.
During Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Pham was out at home plate in the top of the eighth inning. After receiving the throw from left fielder Christian Yelich, catcher William Contreras made a smart block at home plate to stop Pham from scoring and end the inning.
However, neither player returned to their respective dugouts. Contreras appeared to complain to Pham, who slid into the catcher rather than going around him. Pham challenged everything Contreras said and hounded Contreras until home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez intervened.
Teammates and coaches escorted him toward the dugout to calm him down, but he was still fired up as he returned to his position in the outfield.
After the game, Pham was asked by reporters about the incident and refused to release any bitterness toward Contreras.
“I'm glued to the spot a mile away at home and I go to the dugout and I hear the tough guys yelling, 'Hoola,'” Pham said. “I'm never going to start anything, but I'm prepared to see it through to the end. There's a reason I get into all kinds of fights in the offseason, because I'm prepared to beat the crap out of somebody.”
So in Pham's case, the word “power hitter” takes on a different meaning.
But Pham acknowledged that he got out easily at home plate, perhaps blaming third base coach Eddie Rodriguez for getting the out on a relatively shallow fly to left field.
“There's a reason I do all kinds of martial arts in the off-season, because I'm prepared to knock somebody out.” – Tommy Pham pic.twitter.com/REBPGPj5BX
— CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) June 2, 2024
Pham looked ready to fight, shoulders flexed like a boxer on his way to the outfield. He's been in the news for altercations before, most notably for slapping Joc Pederson during an altercation in a fantasy football league in 2022. Earlier that season, Pham challenged Luke Voit to a fight after sliding hard into teammate Tyler Stephenson.
Last year in San Diego, Pham got into an altercation with a fan who was heckling him in the on-deck circle. The fan claimed Pham was trying to start a fight, but Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo defended him, saying Pham had taken plenty of flak from Padres fans.
Fortunately for everyone involved, the White Sox and Brewers don't play each other this season, so Pham won't have to worry about another run-in with Contreras.
