Tommy Pham reveals reason behind Pirates drama as Blue Jays fans are in shambles

Tensions flared when Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham and Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman got into a heated exchange that cleared the benches and bullpens during Monday's game at PNC Park. Even though cooler heads prevailed, many were left scratching their heads after the incident, wondering what exactly provoked it in the first place.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Pham was walked by Jays reliever Brendon Little and proceeded to flip his bat before heading down to first base. He didn't make it too far, though, before turning back to exchange words with Heineman.

“It was weird, man," Heineman said (via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com). "It was weird. It was unprovoked and super weird. I wouldn’t have said anything, but I didn’t really like how he flipped the bat on a four-pitch walk. Little weird. Then he looked right back at me. The video can probably tell you everything, but you’re probably just as confused as I am.”

Tommy Pham reveals reason behind Pirates drama as Blue Jays fans are in shambles

Pham took to social media late Monday night to explain his side of the story, saying that he took exception to Heineman complaining about the calls made by home plate umpire Mark Ripperger throughout his at-bat.

"B----ing about a ball not being called a strike to the umpire when it's clearly below the zone and away is disrespectful not only to the umpire but to the hitter as well," Pham posted on X in a reply to Matheson. "So like I said when I flipped the bat f--- him @KeeganMatheson dude has two years in the show I know the zone."

Perhaps a bit of an overreaction since Heineman has every right to voice his opinion to the umpire, but Pham felt seniority ruled all here.

Nonetheless, it all clearly got under the Blue Jays' skin and Toronto fans can't stop talking about Pham.

Heineman had also told reporters that he "barely [knew]" who Pham was before the incident – which seems highly unlikely, considering the veteran outfielder has played for 10 different teams over 12 Major League seasons. He has certainly built a reputation for his combustible, perhaps overreactive behavior that precedes him, for better or for worse. Ironic that it took centerstage on Monday night, too.

The Pirates ultimately won Monday's game, 5-2, thanks in large part to an inordinate number of defensive gaffes made by the American League-leading Blue Jays. Toronto will be seeking revenge – against the Pirates, but especially against Pham – Tuesday, when Max Scherzer takes the mound against Mitch Keller.

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