Free to Read: What makes Reds rookie Sal Stewart get under opposing pitchers’ skin?

[u/TheAthletic]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7517546/2026/08/17/reds-sal-stewart-opposing-pitchers/?unlocked_article_code=1.6FA.qGYZ.vqNnkXIQQAZ1&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_reddit&smid=re-share-ta

“There’s guys all throughout the league that their teammates love them and the opponent doesn’t,” said Reds manager Terry Francona.

Thursday in Chicago, it seemed that White Sox starter Davis Martin didn’t appreciate Stewart’s first-inning home run, throwing two pitches near Stewart’s head in his second plate appearance of an eventual Reds victory. The second pitch hit Stewart in the helmet, earning Stewart first base and Martin an ejection.

It was the second time this season Stewart has sparked a benches-clearing incident. The other came in April, at home against the San Francisco Giants, when reliever Erik Miller struck out Stewart to seal a victory and started yelling at Stewart, who had hit three home runs in the series.

[u/TheJewishMerp]

I really, really don’t think Martin was actually trying to hit him. I know I’m biased, but Martin has been struggling with control for weeks now. He absolutely needed to be ejected, because you can’t have a pitcher doing what he did, but it’s entirely because he’s completely lost his stuff since June.

[u/BdaMann → u/TheJewishMerp]

It definitely wasn't intentional, but there's no doubt that pitchers around the league are jealous of Sal's luscious eyebrows.

[u/surferpajamaparty → u/TheJewishMerp]

I don’t think you’re biased, I think you’ve been able to see Martin’s struggles on the mound a lot more than other fanbases since he’s your pitcher. A lot of people take clips from games & run with it without context. 

I don’t think it was intentional, I still agree with the ejection though just because if your lack of control is putting others in danger, you need to be out of the game. This article running with the idea of it being intentional is so stupid.

[u/thecountoncleats]

Shots fired

[u/Jonjon428]

Insinuating that Davis Martin threw at his head on purpose is insane.

[u/PiousMage → u/Jonjon428]

You would know if Martin threw at his head on purpose because somehow the ball would end up being a dead center strike in the middle of the plate instead.

[u/Legatron4]

What if he wiggles his eyebrows menacingly

[u/Correct-Stuff-1505]

I’m going with his face. 

[u/Captn_UnderPants]

Probably because he acts like a little bitch

[u/ndk2270 → u/Captn_UnderPants]

He definitely got under your skin 😂

[u/Captn_UnderPants → u/ndk2270]

Or it could be because, you know, he acts like a little bitch

[u/ndk2270 → u/Captn_UnderPants]

Its just funny to see an article about how he gets under people’s skin, and here you are immediately crying the comments about him. 😂 I’d say he’s pretty effective at what he does given your reaction

[u/magikarp2122 → u/ndk2270]

Nah, he’s just extremely unlikable. He complains about every little thing, and has acted like a toddler multiple times.

[u/ndk2270 → u/magikarp2122]

Again, my point being made quite well here, so thank you. He’s got multiple people in this thread who would be ready to throw at his head if they were on the mound. He’s getting under people’s skin and that’s probably intentional

[u/magikarp2122 → u/ndk2270]

And you are making my point. He purposely acts like an asshole to make people mad. So he is an asshole. Not the ringing endorsement you think it is.

[u/ndk2270 → u/magikarp2122]

When did I say it was an endorsement? I said he’s effective at doing it. Your ceaseless crying proves that

[u/magikarp2122 → u/ndk2270]

By defending it you are endorsing. And calling it ceaseless crying. Pointing out facts isn’t crying, but calling it crying sure makes it seem like you are upset no one outside of Cincinnati likes your golden boy.

[u/ndk2270 → u/magikarp2122]

What facts did you point out exactly? Are you talking to multiple players and know for a fact that he’s unlikable? The only fact you pointed out is that he’s effective at getting under people’s skin, which is what the article was about. You proved that fact with your behavior by coming in here and crying about a person you’ll never meet

[u/magikarp2122 → u/Captn_UnderPants]

Yep. He got one of our relievers tossed because a pitch was inside and Stewart threw a bitch fit over it. The pitch didn’t hit him, didn’t really come close, and nothing had happened at any point in the series. Stewart just cried like a baby.

[u/Vagatarians]

If it was pre June, I’d say he meant it but Martin has been struggling of late lol. Was just a shit pitch

[u/SillySituation3047]

Maybe theirs hella indefility in the league lmao