When many players join a new team, they will at least pretend to be diplomatic about their old team.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, on the other hand, didn’t play nice Saturday when talking about the Chicago Cubs.
Contreras, who spent his first seven seasons in Chicago, including that 2016 World Series championship year, told Bally Sports Midwest that the Cardinals are a “better organization.”
“For me, I like this better, it’s a better organization,” Contreras said. “It’s the old-school way, which I love.
“Ever since I got here, everything has been one way, the Cardinal way, and I have to adjust. It’s not that hard. Do everything right and respect each other.”
The Cardinals signed Contreras to a five-year, $87.5 million deal in December. The three-time All-Star hit 22 home runs with a 128 OPS+ last season.
Cardinals fans are happy to have him. They greeted the 30-year-old catcher with a big round of cheers as he stepped in for his first at-bat in a Cardinals uniform Saturday in Florida.
Cubs fans didn’t seem to take offense at Contreras’ “better organization” jab.
To be fair, after what happened at the trade deadline, how do you expect him to react?
— Nicolas Smith (@1NicolasAmazing) February 25, 2023
[Bally Sports Midwest; Photo credit: St. Louis Cardinals]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.