Tommy Pham has no regrets about administering the slap heard ‘round the baseball world.
The outspoken Cincinnati Reds outfielder generated one of MLB’s most memorable moments this season when he slapped San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson over a fantasy football feud on May 27. Three weeks later, Pham stands by his decision.
“You know what, I’ve got no regrets,” Pham told USA Today Sports. “None at all. Joc deserved to be slapped.”
The unprovoked front-hand blow arose from a dispute over the rules of a fantasy football league that both players participated in. Pham believed Pederson was cheating by stashing players on the IR, while Pederson viewed the move as a legal maneuver. The MLB seemingly sided with Pederson, issuing Pham a three-game suspension and $5,000 fine.
According to Pham, however, the punishment could have been far worse. Immediately following the altercation, Pham said the Giants threatened to file assault charges against Pham and even boycott the game.
“They were talking about pressing charges,” Pham said. “I’m like, ‘Go ahead. Assault for a slap? OK. People do way worse.”
MLB ultimately stepped in, threatening the 34-year-old with an 8-10 game suspension if he chose to fight the immediate three-game suspension. Pham went with the latter.
Pham informed USA Today he was bothered by the way Giants players and coaches protruded into his dispute with Pederson.
“This is something personal between me and [Pederson],” Pham said. “It has nothing to do with the Giants, but they tried to make it about them.’’
In fact, the outfielder explained he wanted to slap Pederson even before he played for the Giants. While facing the Braves – Pederson’s former team – in September last season, Pham tried to get a hold of Pederson, but the 30-year-old never took the field.
“I would have slapped him last year if I saw him,” Pham said. “He knew that. Everyone knew that.”
Pham’s strong dislike toward Pederson was visible for all to see, but other people’s distaste towards the Giants outfielder went under the radar, according to Pham.
“There were about 100 people that thanked me after I slapped him,” Pham said. “Players, coaches, trainers, reporters. What does that say? I was like, ‘Damn, I didn’t know Joc was this disliked.’”
Pederson still has the support of his teammates, however. During Monday’s batting practice, the Giants debuted warm-up shirts that read “Fantasy Football 101: Stashing players on the IR isn’t cheating.”
Pham did not take kindly to the Giants’ new pullovers.
“They’re the ones who keep bringing this s–t up,” Pham said. “They’re the ones who didn’t want me to play. Now, look at them.”
Pham and the Reds are set to begin a three-game series against the Giants June 24-26 at Oracle Park.