Inside The Cubs

Contreras Loves Playing the Villain, Embraces Role Against Chicago Cubs

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Wilson Contreras loves playing the villain role and embraced it when facing his former team the Chicago Cubs.

Kade Kistner

Contreras Loves Playing the Villain, Embraces Role Against Chicago Cubs
Contreras Loves Playing the Villain, Embraces Role Against Chicago Cubs /
In this story:

Wilson Contreras returned to Wrigley Field in what we can't exactly call a "welcome party" on Monday as he is now the starting catcher of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Or is he? Apparently he was benched and relegated to designated hitter and outfield duties. But then he wasn't?

Who knows with this guy, but hey, that's why the Chicago Cubs didn't really pursue him or an extension in the final years of his contract. 

But one thing that Contreras is great at doing is playing the heel or villain. Honestly, it's something that endeared him to the Cubs faithful for years. 

Now, he is doing to fans at Wrigley. 

On Monday Contreras began beckoning the crowd to boo him even more after he hit a double that scored the lead-taking run. 

This is also the same player who after nearly a dozen years in the Cubs system immediately embraced the "Cardinals" way after being signed in free agency. 

There really isn't any allegiance in the game anymore, that's how it is. It's fine, follow the money. But the way this player in particular embraces the role of gaining maximum attention has always been a masterpiece (or trainwreck) to watch. 

He's just doing it in a Cardinals jersey now. 

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

  1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Chicago Cubs?
  2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
  3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
  4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
  5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
  6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
  7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
  8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
  9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
  10. Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field
Published
Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

Home/News