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Normally on the diamond, jewelry isn’t much of an issue for baseball players, but Michael Wacha’s necklace broke and caused an explosive chain reaction.
In the first inning of the Athletics’ 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park, Wacha’s chain broke. As Wacha was standing on the mound, he gathered the broken chain from his neck and put it in his back pocket.
Immediately after putting his chain away, Wacha started his delivery to beat the pitch clock and fired a sinker in for a strike. However, Athletics left fielder Carlos Cortes was not ready for the pitch, as he thought time might be granted for Wacha’s broken chain.
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Home plate umpire John Libka ejects Athletics hitting coach Chris Cron during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in West Sacramento, California, on April 29, 2026. (Scott Marshall/AP Photo)
Cron took issue with Wacha’s quick pitch and let John Libka hear it. Cron was ejected almost immediately after complaining to Libka.
“I’m not listening to you, not you,” Libka said, which was heard on the broadcast. “Get out of here!”
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay then walked out to Libka to clarify which member of his coaching staff was ejected.
Athletics’ broadcaster Dallas Braden was impressed with how seamless Wacha’s delivery was after putting his chain away.
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Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha throws to an Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game in West Sacramento, California, on April 29, 2026. (Scott Marshall/AP Photo)
“How about that, all in one fell swoop. Michael Wacha gonna put the chain in his back pocket,” Braden said.
“What (Cron) is upset about is the fact that Cortes was standing in the box and then he waited because Wacha was clearly dealing with an issue, dealing with something, didn’t step off and all in one motion took the chain off, put it in his back pocket and then stepped right into his windup, delivery and came home,” Braden said.
“At no point was Cortes engaged after Wacha decided to get the motion going.”
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Athletics left fielder Carlos Cortes, center fielder Zack Gelof and right fielder Lawrence Butler celebrate the Athletics’ win over the Kansas City Royals in West Sacramento, California, on April 29, 2026. (Scott Marshall/AP Photo)
Adding insult to injury for Cron, he couldn’t just turn around and walk down the tunnel into the clubhouse. Because the clubhouse is in the outfield, Cron had to walk through the entire field. As he walked, fans gave him a round of applause.
Cortes ended up walking in that at-bat, so no harm, no foul. He went two-for-three in the A’s win.
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