Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana has been one of the few bright spots on the otherwise pedestrian Pirates’ bullpen. But on Thursday, his ability on the mound was overshadowed by a nasty interaction he was involved in from the bullpen with a Tigers fan at Comerica Park.
In the second game of a doubleheader between the two teams, Santana was tasked with coming into a tied game in the bottom of the ninth inning. But before he ever took the mound, he was captured on video confronting a fan, jumping up and swinging at the fan in a video that has quickly gained traction on social media.
Pirates reliever Dennis Santana took a swing at a fan while in the bullpen at Comerica Park in Detroit. #MLB
(via @_shadky)pic.twitter.com/MQBGrUF1Bd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 20, 2025
It’s unclear what was said by the fan that prompted Santana to take a swing. But based on how the fan was quite clearly leaning over to taunt Santana before he jumped up, it sure seems like he was heckling him in some form or fashion.
A closer angle of the incident from a fan who was sitting alongside the fan who was swung at shows how close Santana got to connecting with his punch.
Another angle of the incident between Pirates reliever Dennis Santana and fans in Detroit at Comerica Park. #MLB
(via @TorkBeliever) pic.twitter.com/tZbPvwdxY3
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 20, 2025
Naturally, fans took to social media to share their thoughts on this incident, with most condemning Santana for being unable to control his emotions regardless of what was said to him.
Dennis Santana getting into it with fans in Detroit. Most fight I’ve seen from the Pirates all road trip. pic.twitter.com/7pn483dHgv
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) June 20, 2025
This shit is never ok. Players have to control themselves and for any player to swing at a fan is completely unacceptable. That’s why the cops are there. Let them handle it. https://t.co/o5IfqDCE5p
— Kyle Duffield (@ky_duffield) June 20, 2025
That’s not ok (former #Yankee Dennis Santana in the pen) https://t.co/U0XVUuWylZ
— Matthew Nethercott (@mnethercott_) June 20, 2025
Fortunately for the Pirates, Santana didn’t let this ugly incident affect his play when he did come into the game, though Santana wasn’t out there all that long.
After getting one out, Santana’s outing would be put on pause when the game entered a rain delay. By the time play restarted, which came after a delay that lasted over an hour, Santana was replaced by David Bednar.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.