Daniel Vogelbach, formerly with the Mets, has recently joined the Toronto Blue Jays on a minor league contract with an invitation to training camp.
His sole aim is to secure a spot on the team.
His recent homer off the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole has stirred controversy, with Cole expressing displeasure at Vogelbach’s leisurely home run trot.
This reaction is consistent with Cole’s history of struggling with criticism, exemplified by blaming Billy Crystal for a past performance setback.
Despite coming off a stellar Cy Young-winning season, Cole failed to acknowledge Vogelbach’s accomplishment gracefully.
Instead, he allowed himself to be irked by Vogelbach’s display.
However, Vogelbach’s trot wasn’t notably slower than others, prompting speculation on Cole’s expectations.
Cole’s statement about not forgetting the incident could be interpreted as a veiled threat, raising concerns about potential retaliation.
Nevertheless, such a reaction from Cole appears petty considering Vogelbach’s restrained celebration.
The upcoming game between the Yankees and Blue Jays might not witness retaliation, given Cole’s uncertain participation and the unlikelihood of his teammates targeting Vogelbach, who is perceived as non-problematic.
The resolution of this tension may hinge on future encounters between Cole and Vogelbach during the regular season, influenced by Vogelbach’s ability to provoke other pitchers before Opening Day.
