Tigers Player Flips Off Comerica Park Crowd After Botched Play [VIDEO]
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- Monday night was not a good one for the Detroit Tigers' Tyler Collins.
While playing center field, Collins misplayed a popup that ultimately led to starter Jordan Zimmermann giving up his first run of the season.
The crowd took exception to the play and rained down a chorus of boos. Collins responded as he made his way back to his position after the play by giving the middle finger to the Comerica Park faithful.
https://vine.co/v/iUPpEgO7nbx
Collins can also be seen mouthing some unsavory words to the crowd. Collins and manager Brad Ausmus addressed the media about the incident following the game.
"It was frustration, I don't want to hear that at home. We deal with that enough on the road," Collins said about getting booed. "With that being said, I should be more mature and more grown-up than that to be able to deal with it -- that's where I apologize."
"[It's] clearly something that can't happen," Ausmus said. "I spoke to Tyler immediately in the dugout, in the tunnel, after it happened. I spoke to him after the game and he regrets it. It was an emotional reaction and he regrets it, he knows it was wrong.
"You've got to be above that and you've got to go about your business and understand that's part of sports -- you're going to get booed at times," Ausmus continued, "He just screwed up, he's a young guy that screwed up."
As expected, Twitter responded.
Ausmus could send a great message by benching Tyler Collins right now. Bad play, worse reaction.
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) April 26, 2016
Tyler Collins flips off the fans? #uh oh
— Jeff Lesson On Golf (@JeffLesson) April 26, 2016
Throwing up middle digit after losing ball in lights not good move by Tyler Collins, especially considering Steven Moyà hit 5th HR tonight
— Pat Caputo (@patcaputo98) April 26, 2016
Collins booed as he comes to the plate. Looked like Ausmus and other players had some words for him before his at bat
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) April 26, 2016
Rough night at the ballpark for Collins, 0-4, booed, flipped off the fans, booed again and then struck out to a guy making his MLB debut.
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) April 26, 2016
I suspect Tyler Collins will be sent down to Toledo very soon. Not just for the stupid finger flip but for the swings, and for the attitude.
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) April 26, 2016
Collins was filling in for Anthony Gose against the Oakland Athletics on Monday.