Doug Eddings tried to blame Rockies player for tilted hat controversy

Umpire Doug Eddings seemingly tried to blame a Colorado Rockies player for sparking a controversy over St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hancel Rincon’s hat.

In a statement to reporters, Eddings seemingly blamed a Colorado player, believed to be catcher Hunter Goodman, for complaining about Rincon’s hat. Eddings said “the batter” raised the issue by asking if Rincon was allowed to wear his hat tilted, which is when Eddings intervened.

Rockies broadcast on Eddings & Hunter Goodman:

"Hunter Goodman we talked to this afternoon. He unequivocally and in a forceful manner said 'that never happened. I could care less what his hat looks like.'"#stlcards pic.twitter.com/5oJ93Ptc77
— bill durham (@BDurhamSports) September 6, 2026

Goodman, who was at the plate during the controversy, adamantly denied having anything to do with the situation, and said he had not even noticed Rincon’s hat tilt.

“I never once mentioned the hat,” Goodman said Saturday, via Thomas Harding of MLB.com. “It doesn’t matter who’s pitching. I don’t care how they wear the hat. I’m trying to find out where the ball is coming out, and I’m trying to worry about what I’m doing in the box. I’m not worried about how his hat looks.”

Eddings was accused of going on a power trip Friday night when he demanded that Rincon, who was making his MLB debut, straighten his hat before a plate appearance. He then assessed a pitch clock violation against the Cardinals while manager Oli Marmol was arguing about the situation, and blew a clear call that went against the Cardinals later in the same inning.

Eddings was the third base umpire for Saturday’s game after working the plate the night before. Video showed him appearing to apologize to Rincon prior to the start of the game.