New angle of Pirates' Dennis Santana shows insane incident that got him suspended

Dennis Santana's competitive fire is something the Pittsburgh Pirates appreciate when he's on the pitcher's mound, but it nearly got him into trouble while he was warming up in the bullpen Thursday night at Comerica Park.

Fan videos on social media showed Santana getting involved in an altercation with a fan who was sitting in the outfield bleachers that overlooked the visitors bullpen during the Pirates' series finale against the Detroit Tigers. The fan, who was wearing a Pirates shirt and a Tigers hat – yes, we have questions, too – said something that clearly upset Santana to the point that he stopped warming up and got into a heated exchange with him.

While videos and photos of the incident popped up all over social media, the @TorkBeliever account on X posted a close-up video from the fans' point of view in the front row of the bleachers.

In the clip, Santana locks eyes with the fan before jumping up and taking a swipe in his direction. Security quickly stepped in front of Santana as the bullpen coach and bullpen catcher held him back, and the fan was reportedly ejected from the stadium not long after the incident occurred. On Friday evening, MLB handed down a four game suspension to Santana for the incident. Santana will appeal the suspension.

Pirates' Dennis Santana says fan 'crossed the line' multiple times in bullpen altercation

Santana addressed the incident following the Pirates' 8-4 win over the Tigers (which featured yet another incident later in the game that saw Tommy Pham get into an altercation with fans sitting behind home plate).

"You guys know me — I'm a calm demeanor type of person," Santana said through an interpreter, according to ESPN. "I've never had any issues for any of the teams I've played for. This guy crossed the line a few times."

When asked to elaborate further, Santana declined to disclose the specifics of what the fan said that made him so upset.

"He crossed the line, and I'd like to leave it at that," Santana said. "I've never had anything like this happen in my eight years in baseball."

Santana later entered the game in the ninth inning and recorded an out before weather forced a rain delay. He admitted afterward that he regretted his actions in the altercation with the fan, but reiterated that the fan's unacceptable behavior was a driving force in the unfortunate situation unfolding.

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