SAN FRANCISCO — By now, most Pirates fans have heard the news about Kyle Crick’s season-ending finger injury that came as a result of an altercation with Felipe Vazquez before Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.
The Post-Gazette has since learned new details about the altercation.
According to sources, Vazquez did throw the first punch and initiated the altercation. Crick had returned from the shower after his pregame routine, and Vazquez asked Crick to turn off some music that was playing at Crick’s locker.
Crick told him no, and an argument ensued. According to the sources, Vazquez walked across the visiting clubhouse to Crick. Vazquez told Crick to hit him. Crick said no and turned away.
Vazquez threw a punch that Crick wasn’t expecting and then followed with another blow, and Crick retaliated with punches back at Vazquez. The fight ended with Vazquez requiring six stitches to his nose. Vazquez was seen after the game with bandages on his nose.
Crick was fined $2,500 by the team, while Vazquez was fined $10,000, according to a team source.
Crick confirmed the details before Wednesday’s game.
“We both ended up getting fined. I’m filing a grievance,” Crick told the Post-Gazette. “I don’t think it was just. I was defending myself. If we were on the street, this would’ve been assault. I got swung at twice before I swung back.”
The knuckle on Crick’s right index finger was gashed in the altercation, and the team later announced he required surgery.
Crick also revealed a second injury that the team hadn’t disclosed.
“I was in my shower shoes during the scuffle, and the shower shoes ripped off a callous on my foot,” Crick said. “I’m healing up. I’m doing a little bit of rehab on this toe. It’s day-to-day. I’m trying to see where I stand in all of this.”
The team had been limited in its comments about the altercation.
“The behavior exhibited by these two players last night is unacceptable, inconsistent with the standards expected of a major league player and will not be tolerated by the organization,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Tuesday.
After Tuesday night’s game, Crick claimed that his actions were in self-defense.
“It was one of those clubhouse altercations. A lot of bickering back and forth,” Crick said. “Punches were thrown, and at some point you stand up for yourself and start throwing them back. It’s one of those deals where it’s unfortunate. There are two losers in this deal. Nobody can win a fight with a teammate.”
Vazquez declined comment after the game on Tuesday and again before Wednesday’s contest.
Nubyjas Wilborn: nwilborn@post-gazette.com and Twitter @nwilborn19
First Published: September 12, 2019, 12:15 a.m.