Goodman denies complaining about Rincon’s hat

DENVER – Reacting to online criticism directed his way, Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman forcefully denied complaining about the angle of the bill of Cardinals pitcher Hancel Rincon’s cap during Friday night’s 7-6 loss to the Cardinals at Coors Field.

Home-plate umpire Doug Eddings ordered Rincon to straighten the angle of his bill during the sixth inning. The umpire’s move prompted an argument that led to Eddings ejecting Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.

After the game, Eddings spoke to reporters:

“The batter said, ‘Hey, can he wear his hat like that?’” Eddings recounted after the game. “I really didn't know, but it was really, really crooked. I asked the catcher to tell him to straighten his hat out, and the pitcher did. Nobody said anything until he gave up a couple runs.”

News articles identified Goodman as the batter. Eddings asked Rincon to adjust his cap two batters after Goodman lined out to lead off the sixth.

“I never once mentioned the hat,” Goodman said. “It doesn’t matter who’s pitching. I don’t care how they wear the hat. I’m trying to find out where the ball is coming out, and I’m trying to worry about what I’m doing in the box. I’m not worried about how his hat looks.

“It was one of those situations -- it’s kind of a wild, wild thing that happens in the game. But I didn’t like seeing that my name was a part of it today when I didn’t say anything like that. You watch baseball growing up. There are a lot of guys who have had their hat crooked or however. Honestly, before today, when I went back and looked, I didn’t even notice the hat was messed up or looked like that when I was hitting. Anyways, I don’t pay attention to that stuff.”

But he could not miss comments sent his way.

“I’ve been getting online stuff about me that I didn’t appreciate for something I didn’t say.”

On Friday, Eddings admitted that Rincon wasn’t breaking a rule, but he maintained it was appropriate for him to give what Marmol called “a directive,” as opposed to advice.

“It's not [a rule],” Eddings said. “I guess it's a little unwritten rule. They can't wear [their cap] backwards like a catcher. If it's a distraction, like anything on the field, like a glove or something, and someone makes you aware of it, then you kind of address that.”