MLB: Umpire's Hat Action Too Far

Umpire Doug Eddings apologized to St. Louis Cardinals rookie pitcher Hancel Rincon on Saturday, September 5, 2026, following an incident the previous night where Eddings stopped play during Rincon's Major League Baseball debut to instruct him to straighten his cap. The league reportedly communicated to Eddings that his actions went too far, as Major League Baseball does not have rules dictating how players must wear their hats. The confrontation occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning on Friday, September 4, 2026, during Rincon's first MLB appearance against the Colorado Rockies. Eddings asked Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal to tell Rincon to adjust his cap, which was tilted. Rincon complied, reportedly without understanding the reason for the instruction. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol vehemently objected to Eddings' intervention, calling it a "power hungry move" and stating that Eddings told him Rincon "is not going to wear his hat like that on my field." Marmol argued with Eddings as reliever Justin Bruihl warmed up, leading to Eddings ejecting the manager from the game.