Rex Hudler calls out Cardinals player for slide into Royals’ Jonathan India
Second baseman Jonathan India was the last position player to emerge from the Royals dugout in the top of the third inning of Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium.
India jogged with a slight hitch to his position, and that was a result of a questionable slide by the Cardinals’ Willson Contreras an inning earlier. Contreras was on first when Iván Herrera grounded to Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
The Royals turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning, but Contreras’ slide was spikes-up into the knee of India, who stayed on the infield dirt for a minute before getting to his feet. India, who at one point looked back at Contreras, was able to walk off the field, albeit gingerly.
Fortunately for India, he was able to remain in the game.
Former Cardinals player Rex Hudler, who is now a broadcaster for Bally Sports Kansas City, called out Contreras.
“That’s bush league is what that is,” Hudler said. “That’s tired.”
Video of the play and Hudler’s criticism was shared on X/Twitter.
Many fans agreed with Hudler’s assessment of the situation and chimed in as well.
What Royals said
India said he didn’t think there was ill-intent on Contreras’ part.
“I’ve been slid into (before),” India said, “but I’ve been fine. But that was pretty hard. But it’s baseball.”
India said there was no swelling in the knee and he expects to play Sunday.
Contreras appeared to say something to India after the play.
“I think he was trying to apologize, but I was just worried about my knee in the moment. But I think he was apologizing.”
Royals catcher Salvador Perez spoke with Contreras on the field.
“He said it was not his fault,” Perez said. “He just tried to get to the base quickly and even the umpire came to me and said, ‘I don’t think Willson did anything wrong.’
“I just told Willson, ‘Hey, just try to get to the base.’ And he told me he slid too much on his back that his foot came up a little bit. Nothing was on purpose. It didn’t look good. A lot can happen in that situation. You guys know what I’m talking about. But the most important thing is winning and I’m also going to take care of my players too. But everything is good.”
This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM.
