Former Reds outfielder gets roasted on social media for lack of hustle, but redeems himself

The Cincinnati Reds signed Tommy Pham to a one-year deal prior to the 2022 season to help offset the loss of outfielders Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker. Castellanos signed a five-year/$100-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, while Winker was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with Eugenio Suarez.

Pham was eventually dealt to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline last season and became a free agent during the offseason.

The New York Mets signed Pham to a one-year deal this offseason, but the fanbase was none too happy with the outfielder's effort during Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. However, in typical Tommy Pham fashion, the former Reds outfielder made up for his lack of hustle and then some.

Former Reds outfielder Tommy Pham gets roasted for lack of hustle, redeems himself.

Tommy Pham didn't get off on the right foot on Sunday. In the top of the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez attempted to pick off Blue Jays third baseman at second base and sailed a throw into the outfield.

Chapman took off for third base, and as the infielder glanced toward center field, he saw Pham lazily jogging toward the overthrow. Chapman took advantage and rolled through third base and scored.

The Mets fanbase was not pleased with what was perceived by many to be a lack of hustle on Pham's part, making their feeling known on social media.

It's not like the New York faithful needed Pham to give them any more reasons to find discontentment with the veteran's play. Coming into the game, Pham was hitting just .222 with an OPS of .710

But Pham's solo shot in the bottom of the third inning put the New York Mets on the board. It was Pham's fourth round tripper of the season and helped New York close the gap on Toronto.

The bottom of the fifth saw Pham go yard once again. A 1-1 pitch from Toronto's starter Yusei Kikuchi was launched into the left field bleachers. And just like that, Tommy Pham made the Mets fans forget all about his nonchalantly pursuit of the Alvarez overthrow.

Tommy Pham is nothing if not controversial. His most impactful action with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022 was not during a game, but during on-field workouts against the San Francisco Giants.

Pham took a fantasy football transaction personally, and decided to take out his frustrations with Joc Pederson by slapping the Giants outfielder across the face. That resulted in a three-game suspension for Pham.