Baseball has a way of humbling even the most hyped rookies—sometimes with a fastball, other times with a well-timed shove and a sharp tongue. On Saturday at the Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles gave fans a midseason matinee with all the drama of a postseason dust-up. And when the benches cleared, it wasn’t just fists flying—commentary from the booth delivered its own high-and-tight message.
The Baltimore Orioles are trying everything in their playbooks to get to the postseason, and if you think their first play would be to improve the team, you are in for a surprise. After all, the team is sitting at the bottom of the American League East with a 21-36 win-loss record and 0.368 PCT. Their first play is to play dirty and get into a brawl; we all saw what unfolded with the Yankees, but more on that later. Now add the Chicago White Sox to the list.
Coby Mayo hit for an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning, but as soon as he felt some security on the base, he was vulnerable again. Then came the hit to the outfield as the designated hitter was attempting to bag a second base, and he was caught in a rundown before he could safely reach second safely. Mayo then decided that he was going to go out of the runner’s line and shove Lenyn Sosa, who was nowhere near him.
And as Sosa fell on the infield grass, he motioned to the umpire that he wasn’t at fault. That shove caused the White Sox players to question the 23-year-old, which he did not like, and he shoved Sosa again, and this time, a war broke out. During this scene, White Sox commentator Dan Plesac said, “Look at that, Mayo, the first one to leave the pile. Isn’t it funny how that starts? The guy who starts things off is the first one to leave the field.”
Soon enough, both teams came into the field to talk things over after the shove. And from the looks of it, no physical expressions were exchanged, but the words? Yeah, they were flying. The Orioles have made a habit of turning minor misunderstandings into full-blown theater. During the Orioles and Yankees game on April 30 at Camden Yards, the benches cleared during the bottom of the fourth inning. As Heston Kjerstad slid into the bag following a steal of second base, Pablo Reyes went leaping into the air to try to catch a high throw from catcher Austin Wells.
That resulted in somewhat of an awkward landing for Reyes, who unintentionally got tangled up with Kjerstad. Once they separated, things got heated up, and words were exchanged. This confrontation caused both teams to hop onto the field, but things quickly dissipated, and the game resumed. From Bryan Baker’s taunts toward the Blue Jays to Heston Kjerstad igniting back-to-back scuffles with the Yankees, Baltimore often acts like the victim while throwing the first punch. Even a routine rundown now seems to end with a bench-clearing “performance.” It’s starting to feel less like passion and more like poorly rehearsed chaos.
Benches clear in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/E9aVC1cgMr
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) May 31, 2025
But Mayo did apologize after the game. He said, “Yeah, obviously, just trying to get to second base and trying to get into scoring position for Heston [Kjerstad]. Cuts it off and got into a rundown. Obviously, just being told in the minor leagues to try to stay in a rundown, and I thought he was in the baseline and trying to get some contact. Didn’t mean for it to escalate. I wasn’t trying to do that. It just did.”
The Orioles don’t need more bench-clearing moments—they need base hits, better pitching, and a reality check. Until then, they’ll keep leading the league in drama, not divisions. Charm City deserves a contender, not a traveling circus.
Coby Mayo breaks through the barrier to make it to the Orioles team
For years, the Baltimore Orioles have expertly hoarded top prospects like prized vintage wine—waiting, aging, and rarely uncorking. But eventually, even the most cautious cellar master must take a sip. Enter Coby Mayo, the power-hitting enigma with minor league dominance and major league question marks.
Coby Mayo’s chance with the Baltimore Orioles arrived unexpectedly, thanks to injuries to key players. With Ryan Mountcastle and Jordan Westburg sidelined, Mayo finally gets consistent playing time. This opening lets him showcase the power that led to 25+ home runs in back-to-back minor league seasons. It’s a rare moment where the spotlight is fully his to claim.
Before this break, Mayo’s major league outings were rocky, with a .094 batting average and a 47.5% strikeout rate. His minor league numbers, however, tell a different story, boasting over 70 RBIs and impressive power. If he can translate that success to the big leagues, Mayo could inject much-needed offense into Baltimore’s lineup. His raw talent and size make him a promising middle-of-the-order bat.
This opportunity is Coby Mayo’s best shot to prove he belongs in the majors without the immediate threat of being sent down. Now that the spotlight is firmly on Mayo, there’s no more room for “project” or “potential.” The Orioles have handed him the keys—time to see if he can drive or just stall in the garage. If he falters, the critics will have their feast; if he excels, Baltimore just might have its long-awaited power hitter. Either way, Mayo’s chapter is now a headline, not a footnote.
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