Tension on the Diamond: Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Maikel García Star in a Heated Encounter
The rivalry between Jazz Chisholm Jr., third baseman for the New York Yankees, and Maikel García, third baseman for the Kansas City Royals, reached a new level of intensity on Tuesday night. Chisholm had to leave the first game of the series due to a neck discomfort, the result of an attempt at contact by García. During an attempt to steal third base in New York’s 10-2 victory, García attempted to tag Chisholm, causing the player’s helmet to move. Catcher Freddy Fermin’s throw bounced off García’s glove. Chisholm rose to one knee and, according to the television broadcast, told Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas: “I’m telling you one more time: if he touches me like that again, I’m going to beat him up.”The tension between Chisholm and Garcia began last October, when Chisholm drew criticism from Kansas City fans by claiming the Royals “got lucky” in their victory in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Following the Yankees’ victory in Game 4, Chisholm accused Garcia of trying to injure New York shortstop Anthony Volpe in an aggressive slide into second base, calling Garcia a “sore loser”. The 30,017 spectators present at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday booed Chisholm in each of his at-bats, although he later admitted to appreciating the welcome.“I’m waiting for that. It’s just talking”.
Maikel García
The “music” intensified in the sixth inning, when Chisholm hit a double and ran to third. In addition to the neck injury, Chisholm suffered a cut on his right thumb. Despite the two injuries, Chisholm said he expects to play the next day. For two more games, he will face a Royals team that, in the locker room after the game, was watching the video of his comments after the contact.“I went to home plate today and told Fermin: ‘I like it.’ I’m not at home, so I prefer to get close to something instead of getting close to no noise. I feel like on the road, when the visiting batters come up and nothing happens, I feel like it’s bland. Go ahead, boo me. You’re giving me music to at least get close to.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm stated that he believed there was malice behind the contact and suggested that it went back to last October.“I was just trying to do my job, to touch it. I missed the ball.”
Maikel García
“I feel like every time we have a problem, it’s always him. That’s the only reason I was so frustrated. And then, to even see that he didn’t even have the ball the way he tagged me. I didn’t like it.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
