In a 2016 game, Billy Butler, known as “Country Breakfast,” got into a strange exchange with catcher Jimenez during his second at-bat. After a called strike that Butler didn’t like, things started to get tense. The next pitch was just outside, and while it was called a ball, Jimenez held the pitch longer to try and frame it. Butler noticed that subtle move and called him out for it, saying you can’t get both pitches by working the umpire. Jimenez made a small sound, not words, but Butler still felt like he was trying too hard to sway the call.
The two started jawing mid at-bat. Jimenez kept speaking while Butler tried to refocus in the box, which sparked more irritation. The umpire had to step in and calm both guys down. On a full count, Butler crushed a fastball deep into the stands to tie the game. He stared it down, yelled, and tossed his bat, which set off more tension. Jimenez didn’t like the showboating, and the two had to be separated again. After the dust settled, both players gave cool-headed postgame quotes, saying it was just competitive energy in the heat of the moment. Butler also joked with teammates about it afterward, clearly moved on.