Rockies rookie Cole Carrigg found himself riding the pine after an absolutely wild incident Saturday, flashing an inappropriate gesture toward fans right after a missed diving catch cost his team the lead in a 2-1 loss to the Braves. This wasn’t just some casual frustration, folks, this was a full-on middle finger moment at Truist Park, and manager Warren Schaeffer was *not* having it, benching the center fielder for a couple of days.
The Play That Blew Up (and How the Braves Are Rolling)
So, here’s how it went down: The Braves had just snatched a dramatic victory on Saturday afternoon, capping off a weekend where they also won on Friday. This momentum is huge for them, especially after a brutal stretch that saw them blow a significant lead in the NL East. Remember that absolute master class Chris Sale put on against the Dodgers just days earlier? ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez said Sale finished what he started, preserving a 1-0 lead to clinch a sweep of the reigning champs, proving at 37 he’s “still as good as ever.” That sweep could literally decide the National League playoff picture. Against the Rockies on Saturday, Michael Harris II drove in two runs, Martín Pérez dealt, Brent Suter covered 2 1/3 innings, and Didier Fuentes secured the save. But the real fireworks came in the eighth inning. Carrigg went for a diving catch on a fly ball from Michael Harris II, came up empty, and that resulted in a two-run double that gave the Braves the go-ahead score. And then, boom. Carrigg reportedly made that “inappropriate gesture” to the crowd. Unbelievable, right?
A “Teaching Moment” or Just a Quick Sit?
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer made it clear Sunday morning: Carrigg was out of the starting lineup for “a couple of days” because of the incident. Now, emotions run high in baseball, we all know that. But pros cannot lose their cool like this. The Rockies are framing this as a “teaching moment” for their young player, and hey, that’s what you hope for. The thing is, that “teaching moment” didn’t exactly last. Carrigg was back in action as a pinch hitter for Sunday’s game, making you wonder if the message truly sunk in. MLB.com’s Thomas Harding reported the benching, but it’s tough to say how much of a lesson it was when he’s essentially just skipping a start.
Carrigg’s quick return to the field means the Rockies are walking a tightrope with their young player. Will this “teaching moment” actually stick, or was it just a slap on the wrist? Either way, you just can’t be doing that to fans. Period.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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