Tensions boiled over on the field Wednesday when the Red Sox and Rockies met for the finale of their three-game series in Denver, and they came close to continuing after the game in the bowels of Coors Field.
Some Red Sox players wanted to go back for more after on-field tensions boiled over Wednesday in Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)AP
Multiple Red Sox players, speaking anonymously, confirmed Saturday that the fourth-inning benches-clearing incident between the teams nearly restarted after the final out of Colorado’s 20-7 win. In an incident that caused stadium security to briefly get involved, Red Sox players sought out Rockies starter Cal Quantrill in hopes of confronting him over language he used in a back-and-forth with backup catcher Reese McGuire on the field.
Because there are no TVs in the dugout, it wasn’t until after the game, back in the visitor’s clubhouse, that most players, including McGuire, found out what Quantrill (as captured by cameras) said to McGuire on the field — and the stir it had caused online. That realization led to many Red Sox wanting to go back for more — with one prominent Sox player so incensed that he started asking stadium personnel where he could find the home clubhouse, where the Rockies were packing up for a road trip to San Francisco. Red Sox players were spotted waiting out by Colorado’s team bus at one point as well.
Injured Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story, a former Rockie who still has many friends on the Colorado roster, was instrumental in preventing a potentially ugly incident postgame. The sense among those who witnessed the events was that an altercation was narrowly avoided.
“I was in a unique position (having been a member of both teams),” said Story, explaining his role as peacemaker. “But I didn’t like what had been going on.”
With the Rockies already leading by six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Quantrill appeared to scream loudly in celebration after he got McGuire to fly out to center out to strand a man on third and end the inning. McGuire appeared to take exception with Quantrill’s yell and said something, only for Quantrill to go back at McGuire with a comment that seemed to reference an off-field legal issue from the catcher’s past. McGuire momentarily charged toward Quantrill before Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings got in the middle to break it up.
No punches were thrown as Rafael Devers, base coaches Kyle Hudson and Andy Fox got between McGuire and the Rockies. During that brief scuffle, Jarren Duran and Nick Pivetta appeared to be the among most heated members of the Red Sox. Both teams’ bullpens jogged in from the outfield and the teams briefly exchanged shoves on the first base line. The umpiring crew warned both teams and tempers did not flare for the rest of the game.
Hours later, after the entire Red Sox roster had learned what Quantrill allegedly had said to McGuire, tempers rose again. The Rockies quickly became aware that some Red Sox players wanted to confront Quantrill. With the Red Sox flying back to Boston after a six-game trip out west, there was also some concern that things could escalate outside Coors Field were the team’s busses were parked or at Denver International Airport if the teams arrived simultaneously. Fortunately, neither happened.
A sullen McGuire did not speak to reporters after the game in Denver on Wednesday but offered a brief comment Saturday before the Red Sox took on the Yankees.
“I don’t really have too much on it,” McGuire said. “It was awesome just to see the love and support from my teammates and my coaching staff.”
Rob Refsnyder, one of Boston’s team leaders, said he wasn’t concerned things would escalate to a violent point after the game. He said emotions ran hot because McGuire is a well-liked member of the clubhouse.
“I love Reese. Reese has been one of my closest friends ever since he got traded over,” Refsnyders said. “He’s a great teammate, great guy. I think everyone saw what happened. That’s their clubhouse, our clubhouse. It’s over with.
“It’s all good. It’s a long season so a lot of different things happen.”
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora declined to respond to texts asking for further comment. The Red Sox and Rockies won’t play each other again this year but Quantrill is a clear trade candidate who might face Boston in the final two months of the year with another club.
