Denver – In a post‑game press conference on Friday, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman firmly denied that he ever complained about St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hancel Rincon’s cap. The question arose after home‑plate umpire Doug Eddings asked Rincon to adjust his hat during the sixth inning, an incident that later led to the ejection of Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.
Goodman’s clarification
Goodman told reporters, citing MLB.com, that he never mentioned the hat at all. “I never once mentioned the hat,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who’s pitching. I don’t care how they wear the hat. I’m trying to find out where the ball is coming out, and I’m trying to worry about what I’m doing in the box. I’m not worried about how his hat looks.”
He added that the incident was “one of those situations — it’s kind of a wild, wild thing that happens in the game,” and expressed frustration that his name was being linked to something he never said. “I didn’t notice the hat was messed up or looked like that when I was hitting,” Goodman explained. “Anyway, I don’t pay attention to that stuff.”
Manager backs his player
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer reinforced Goodman’s statement, noting that umpire Eddings confirmed the catcher had not spoken to him about the cap. “I’ve known Doug for a while now, and I like Doug — I knew he’d shoot me straight,” Schaeffer said. “Goody was very clear to me today that he said nothing about a guy’s hat, like the whole hat saga. He said nothing [to Eddings], and you trust your player.”
Schaeffer said he wanted to ensure there was no disrespect toward the umpire. “I was going to go there, but he told me he didn’t say anything. So it must have been a misspeak in the media, or something must have happened. I don’t know. But he told me he didn’t mention Goody’s name one time to anybody, so I have to trust him on that one.”
Context of the ejection
The cap adjustment request came in the sixth inning when Eddings noticed Rincon’s hat was tilted. After the umpire asked Rincon to straighten it, tensions rose, and Marmol was subsequently ejected for arguing the call. The incident sparked a flurry of social‑media speculation, with some fans and commentators suggesting Goodman might have complained, a claim the catcher promptly denied.
While the cap controversy was a brief footnote in the game, it highlighted the heightened scrutiny umpires face and the importance of clear communication on the field. For the Rockies, the focus remains on improving offensive production and supporting their pitching staff as the season progresses.
Looking ahead
Goodman’s denial puts the spotlight back on the game itself rather than a side‑track about a hat. The Rockies will look to build on their recent performances and aim for consistency at the plate and behind it. As the team prepares for the next series, fans can expect the usual baseball drama—hits, strikeouts, and strategic decisions—rather than cap‑related controversy.
For now, the Rockies and Cardinals will continue their battle on the diamond, with the focus squarely on the pitch, the swing, and the outcome of each at‑bat.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
