Newest Pirates addition already gets in NSFW argument with Yankees fans

Feb 17, 2025; Bradenton, FL, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates outfield Tommy Pham (28) participates in spring training workouts at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Feb 17, 2025; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfield Tommy Pham (28) participates in spring training workouts at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Over the course of his 11 Major League seasons, Tommy Pham has earned a reputation for his short temper – or, to put a positive spin on it, his fiery, competitive spirit. No matter what you call it, though, it appears as if it won't be changing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in season 12.

The 37-year-old, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Pittsburgh as a free agent for 2025, already got into it with some opposing fans during the Pirates' 12-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Monday.

A video posted on X by Jomboy Media on Wednesday showed Pham, playing in left field for the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. In a moment between pitches, Pham – presumably responding to a heckler in the crowd – turned around and yelled, "I bet you got a little d***, too."

The video clip ends with Pham running to retrieve a ground ball on the next pitch.

Pirates' Tommy Pham swears on live TV after getting in NSFW argument with Yankees fans

Somehow, even after the incident during the game Monday, someone still thought it was a good idea to mic up Pham during SportsNet Pittsburgh's broadcast of the Pirates' Grapefruit League contest against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. That went... about as well as one might expect.

At the end of the second inning, just before the broadcast cut to a commercial break, Pham – with his mic still on in the dugout – could very clearly be heard uttering the phrase, "motherf***ing team." The full context of the comment is unknown; but regardless, given his history, Pham probably isn't a guy you want to trust anywhere near a hot mic.

Pham slashed .266/.330/.380 in 70 games for the Chicago White Sox last season before they traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals ahead of the trade deadline. Pham slashed .206/.286/.368 in 23 games for the Cardinals, who proceeded to designate him for assignment on Aug. 30. The Kansas City Royals signed him off waivers the following day, and he hit a tepid .228/.250/.337 in 23 games. He also contributed to Kansas City's postseason run, recording five hits in 15 at-bats for a .333 batting average with two RBI.

Pham is slated to be the Pirates' starting left fielder this season. Hopefully, he will be less of a nightmare for the team on the field than he already has been for their PR staff.

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