La Russa yells at catcher after Jose Abreu is hit in the head, a breakdown

Aug 2, 2021 1.7M views 4:58
MLB 2021

What Happened

In the bottom of the 8th inning of a tight game in the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox are trying to bunt the runner on first base over. The bunt attempt goes off the catcher's glove, allowing the runner to advance to second base on his own. Tensions rise as White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson gets a single to drive in the go-ahead run, pumping his fist in celebration. On the next at-bat, White Sox pitcher Reynaldo López throws a wild pitch that narrowly misses hitting José Abreu in the head. Abreu is shaken up, and the crowd reacts angrily. White Sox manager Tony La Russa quickly rushes out of the dugout, but instead of checking on his injured player, he confronts catcher Yasmani Grandal, yelling at him for calling the pitch inside. La Russa argues that with López's lack of control, it's too dangerous to call pitches up-and-in, even if the hit-by-pitch was unintentional. Grandal tries to explain that he didn't mean for Abreu to get hit, but La Russa insists that Grandal shouldn't be calling those kinds of pitches when the pitcher is struggling with his command. As the situation escalates, White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing and infielder Leury García try to hold back the 77-year-old La Russa, who appears fired up about protecting his players. Abreu is checked on by the training staff, but he remains in the game, brushing off the incident as just "a badge of honor." The White Sox eventually remove the wild López from the game, with the bases now loaded after another errant pitch. Reliever Reynaldo López comes in and records the final outs, preserving the narrow lead for the White Sox. In his post-game comments, La Russa reiterates that he was not upset about the hit-by-pitch itself, but rather the decision to call an inside pitch with a pitcher who clearly lacked control at that moment. Despite the heated exchange, the White Sox hold on for the victory, improving their standing in the tight AL Central division race. The incident showcases the intense emotions and high stakes involved as teams jockey for playoff position down the stretch.

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some ale central action over the weekend

tied

up bottom eight they're looking to bunt

the runner on first

over and that is off the catcher's glove