TW: Story includes NSFW language
After Luke Voit slid full force into Tyler Stephenson on Tuesday night, the Cincinnati Reds catcher’s teammates weren’t thrilled with the San Diego Padres designated hitter.
The slide landed Stephenson in concussion protocol, sidelining him on the seven-day IL.
When the game was over, several Reds players didn’t mince words in their media availability.
Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer said it looked like Voit was using a “wrestling move”:
"“Not too often you see a runner slide and grab someone’s head and slam it to the ground like that.You’re usually trying to reach for the bag. Maybe that’s what he was trying to do. After looking at the replay, it looked like a wrestling move to Tyler’s head and snapped it down.”"
Former Padres outfielder Tommy Pham wants to fight Luke Voit after violent slide
But the fieriest remarks came from former Padres outfielder Tommy Pham (warning: NSFW), who called the slide “Dirty as f***.”
"“If Luke wants to settle it, I get down really well. Anything. Muay Thai, whatever. Like I said, I’ve got an owner here who will let me use his facility. So fuck ’em. I’m out.”"
Pham played for the Padres from 2020-21 before signing a one-year deal with the Reds late last month.
Voit hasn’t responded to Pham, but he did defend himself:
"“I wasn’t trying to take (Stephenson) out or anything. I guess my elbow kind of just got him a little bit, but I hope he’s all right,” Voit said, per The Athletic. “I tried to go around him. I think he went in to make sure he (made the tag). … It’s baseball and I wasn’t trying to make it dirty or anything. I’m just trying to make a play obviously, but unfortunately, I was out, so I ended up getting the short end of the stick on it too.”"
Someone tell Voit that having to go on concussion protocol is a bit worse than getting out.
The Padres and Reds have one more game on Wednesday evening, so things could get heated. Fighting would likely lead to suspension for any involved parties, and we don’t condone violence.
That said, who do you think would win in a Voit vs. Pham fight?