The Milwaukee Brewers discovered that if you mess with Yadier Molina, you’re going to feel the wrath of Mike Shildt.
The story out of the NL Central on Tuesday wasn’t about the Milwaukee Brewers‘ 18-3 blowout victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Rather, it was about the event that happened to take place during the game. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was hit in the left forearm by Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun’s bat in what was called catcher’s interference. After the contact, manager Mike Shildt checked on Molina and heard a comment come from Milwaukee’s dugout. Shildt then jogged over and began jawing with fellow skipper Craig Counsell, resulting in the benches clearing and both managers being ejected.
Immediately after the game, Shildt spoke with the media and let it be known that he will always defend his players, especially a future Hall of Famers like Molina.
“I will always have our players’ backs. I will especially have a Hall of Famer and a guy who has the most physical, mental toughness that I’ve ever managed and may ever managed,” said Shildt, via The Athletic. “I will always have his back.”
Shildt suspended for one game and fined undisclosed amount
The drama began two pitches before the catcher’s interference. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the Cardinals heard Braun complaining to home plate umpire John Bacon over a strike call. Braun specifically said, “just because [Molina] gets mad at you, you can’t call that a strike, man.” That obviously got Shildt’s blood boiling, and seeing his starting catcher get struck by a bat pushed him over the edge.
On Wednesday, the league handed Shildt a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for leaving the bench and arguing with the umpiring crew. The suspension will go into effect for the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader between the rivals. Counsell, who was ejected alongside Shildt, didn’t receive a punishment from MLB. Given that the league is trying to limit face-to-face contact due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Shildt was automatically facing some form of discipline.
Through 30 games this season, Molina has slashed .252/.283/.346, while recording three home runs, 14 RBI and 27 hits.
Let it be forever known that if you complain about Yadier Molina during the game, you can expect Shildt to let you hear about it. The Brewers learned just that on Tuesday evening.