Reds' Tommy Pham has 'no regrets&#0 atlanta braves riley jersey 39; about altercation with Giants' Joc Pederson: 'Joc deserved to be slapped'

June 16, 2022 By Jacob Camenker 0

atlanta braves baseball jersey xl Tommy-Pham-061622-GETTY-FTR (Getty Images)

The Reds and Giants created one of the most explosive moments of MLB's 2022 season when Cincinnati's Tommy Pham slapped San Francisco's Joc Pederson during warmups ahead of their three-game series in late May.

The slap ultimately netted Pham a three-game suspension, so he wasn't able to play in the series against the Giants. Still, three weeks after the event — and one week ahead of the Reds vs. Giants series beginning on June 24 — Pham doesn't seem to have any remorse for his actions. 

"You know what, I’ve got no regrets," Pham told USA TODAY Sports. "None at all. Joc deserved to be slapped."

MORE: Everything we know about the Tommy Pham, Joc Pederson slap

The altercation between Pham and Pederson stemmed from a fantasy football dispute. Pham thought that Pederson had violated the league's rules about stashing players on IR, and he held the grudge long-term. That led to theManny Machado slap and Pham's suspension.

However, it could have been worse. MLB threatened to hit Pham with an eight- to 10-game suspens atlanta braves official merchandise ion if he didn't accept the immediate three-game suspension to keep him out of the series against the Giants. Pham chose the latter atlanta braves jersey youth xl to stay on the field.

It got even more serious than that, as the Giants threatened to boycott the game or file assaPandora| Columbiault charges against Pham.

"They were talking about pressing charges," Pham scoffed. "I’m like, 'Go ahead. Assault for a slap? OK. People do way worse."

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Ultimately, the Giants backed off those threats once Pham was suspended and the initial shock around the event waned.

The slap shouldn't have been such a surp atlanta braves shirt women's rise, though. Pham explained to USA TODAY that he was hoping to slap Pederson much earlier than he did. He outlined that he had searched for PClayton Kershaw ederson when the Padres plJose Altuveayed the Braves in September of 2021. However, Pederson never came on the field, as he wasn't playing and reportedly knew that Pham was angry. 

"I would have slapped him last year if I saw him," Pham said. "He knew that. Everyone knew that."

The delay didn't impact Pham's gratification, and he claims that he has actually, quietly, has received plenty of support for his slap.

"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.'"

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Pederson has been supported by his teammates, however. Most notably, the Giants recently wore shirts that read, "Stashing players on IR isn't cheating."

Pham seemed to find the Giants' gesture comical, as he doesn't understand why San Francisco continues to mention the slap.

"They’re the ones who keep bringing this s— up,’’ Pham said Tuesday night. "They’re the ones who didn’t want me to play. Now, look at them."

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