Colorado Rockies rookie center fielder Cole Carrigg was benched after flipping off Atlanta Braves fans during Saturday’s game at Truist Park, according to team officials.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, as the Braves took the lead on a two-run double by Michael Harris II, Carrigg dove for a fly ball but missed, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Fans directed loud boos and jeers toward the player, and video footage showed Carrigg raising his middle finger toward the stands.
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer publicly condemned the gesture, saying Carrigg would be sidelined for a few days. “Cole made a mistake, and he knows that is an embarrassment to the organization and that we don’t stand for that,” Schaeffer said. “Everyone makes mistakes. It’s just one he has to learn from. We will not tolerate that here.”
Despite being held out of the starting lineup on Sunday, Carrigg appeared as a pinch hitter in the series finale. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout but stayed in the game at center field and shortstop. Afterward, Carrigg issued an apology, saying, “I apologize to my teammates and the organization. That’s not how I want to represent us. That’s inexcusable on my part.”
He added, “I’m someone who plays at 110 percent every game and gives my all to this team and the game. That was a play I felt could or could not have won the game, so I’m very passionate about that. Braves fans are passionate too. Kudos to them. But that gesture can’t happen.”
While flipping off fans often results in a benching, Carrigg’s response indicates he cares about his actions and is committed to learning from the incident.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
