On Saturday, Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras received boos from fans at Fenway Park. Returning to the lineup after missing two games due to illness, Contreras faced criticism for not running out a ground ball hit to third base. The disapproval from the crowd was audible from the batter’s box to the dugout tunnel.
Contreras had left a previous game due to the same illness and continued to feel its effects throughout the weekend.
“I know how that looks but I’m also aware more than others that he’s a little beat up and told us before the game, ‘I don’t have everything today.’ So I’m fine,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy, as reported by NESN. “Especially with a guy that plays the game as hard as he does and how hard he turns around first base all the time, I’m fine with it.”
Contreras ended the game with two strikeouts and one single. He chose not to speak to the media afterward.
The team is expected to move past the incident with little further attention. This episode highlights raised expectations as the Red Sox have enjoyed an impressive 27-5 run since July 1.