Padres Manager Mike Shildt Shouts “Who The F— Do You Think You Are?” At Dodgers’ Andy Pages After HBP Sparks Tension

The bitter rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres has never needed much fuel to ignite, but Friday night at Petco Park saw tempers boil over yet again, offering another heated chapter in this contentious NL West feud. The flashpoint? A fiery confrontation between Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers rookie sensation Andy Pages, moments after Pages was plunked by a fastball that some believed carried more than just accidental intent.

The incident unfolded in the top of the sixth inning, with the Dodgers holding a slim 4-3 lead and Pages stepping to the plate with two outs. Padres reliever Jeremiah Estrada, known for his lively fastball and aggressive inside pitching, unleashed a 96 mph heater that drilled Pages squarely on his upper back. The rookie outfielder immediately dropped his bat and exchanged words with Estrada as tensions mounted.

While benches didn’t clear immediately, it became clear that emotions were simmering under the surface. Pages, a highly-touted prospect making waves for the Dodgers with his power and swagger, gestured toward the mound as he made his way to first base. His frustration was apparent—not just for taking a painful hit, but for what he perceived as deliberate provocation in a rivalry that has seen its share of beanballs and bench-clearing dust-ups.

But it was after the inning, as Pages passed by the Padres dugout on his way back to the visiting bench, that the situation erupted. Padres manager Mike Shildt, never one to mince words, leaned over the dugout rail and barked toward Pages, his voice unmistakable amid the ballpark buzz:

“Who the f— do you think you are?” Shildt shouted, pointing aggressively toward the young Dodgers outfielder.

The confrontation escalated as players from both teams crowded the field, with coaches and umpires intervening to prevent the situation from devolving into a full-scale brawl. While no punches were thrown, the message was loud and clear—the bad blood between these teams remains alive and well, and no one, rookie or veteran, is exempt from the heat of this rivalry.

Shildt’s comments, caught by television microphones and quickly circulated across social media, sparked immediate reaction from both fanbases. For Padres supporters, it was seen as a veteran manager defending his clubhouse’s pride and pushing back against what they perceive as growing arrogance from the Dodgers’ rising star. For Dodgers fans, it was further proof of San Diego’s insecurity in a rivalry long dominated by Los Angeles.

When asked about the incident in his postgame press conference, Shildt was unapologetic.

“This is a rivalry. It’s competitive. Emotions run high,” Shildt said, standing firm on his sideline remarks. “I’m going to protect my guys, and I’m not going to let anyone—rookie or not—disrespect the game or this team. You step into this rivalry, you better be ready for the fire.”

Pages, for his part, took the high road in his postgame comments but didn’t shy away from expressing his displeasure with the situation.

“Look, I play with passion. I play hard. I’m not here to start fights,” Pages explained. “But when I get hit, I have every right to be upset, especially in a rivalry like this. I respect the Padres, but I’m not going to back down.”

The league office is reportedly reviewing the incident, particularly the HBP and subsequent verbal exchange, to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted. Neither Estrada nor Shildt faced ejection during the game, though warnings were issued to both benches following the flare-up.

It’s hardly the first time fireworks have erupted between the Dodgers and Padres. Their rivalry has grown exponentially more intense over the last five seasons, fueled by playoff battles, massive contracts, and brash personalities on both rosters. The Dodgers, perennial contenders with a recent history of postseason dominance, have often found themselves locked in a war of words and emotions with a Padres squad desperate to dethrone them atop the NL West.

In recent years, incidents involving pitchers throwing inside, jawing from dugouts, and heated exchanges on the bases have become regular features of Dodgers-Padres games. Last season saw benches clear after a similar hit-by-pitch incident involving Mookie Betts, and who can forget the infamous bat flip saga with Fernando Tatís Jr. igniting tensions?

For Pages, this moment marks his first true immersion into the white-hot spotlight of the Dodgers-Padres rivalry, a baptism by fire that has seemingly solidified his role not only as a talented young player but as a potential villain in the eyes of San Diego fans.

“He’s a good player, no doubt,” Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts remarked postgame. “But this is the big leagues. You come in here with attitude, you better expect to get it back. That’s how this rivalry works.”

Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defended his rookie, brushing off suggestions that Pages disrespected the game or overreacted to being hit.

“Andy’s competitive. He’s passionate. That’s why he’s here,” Roberts said. “I’ve got no problem with how he handled himself. If people want to chirp at him, that’s their business. We’re focused on winning games, not yelling matches.”

The game itself concluded with the Dodgers pulling out a hard-fought 6-5 victory, thanks to a late two-run homer from Freddie Freeman that silenced the Petco Park crowd and sent the Dodgers faithful into celebration. But despite the thrilling on-field finish, the primary storyline remained the sideline verbal fireworks between Shildt and Pages.

Baseball purists may debate whether managers should engage directly with opposing players, especially rookies, but in the combustible atmosphere of Dodgers-Padres games, traditional etiquette often takes a backseat to raw emotion.

As the series continues, all eyes will be on the next meeting between these two clubs. Will Pages retaliate with his bat? Will another inside pitch spark further drama? One thing is certain—the powder keg that is the Dodgers-Padres rivalry has been reignited, and Mike Shildt’s choice words have only added fuel to an already blazing fire.

For Pages, Friday night represented both a painful bruise and an initiation into one of Major League Baseball’s most intense rivalries. How he responds—on the field and off—could shape not only his early reputation but the temperature of this feud moving forward.

The next chapter begins Saturday night, and if history is any indication, the fireworks aren’t done yet. Stay tuned.