Cardinals Tyler O'Neill & Manager Marmol Make Amends

"Hustle-Gate" is a thing of the past in St. Louis. After being called out publicly by manager Oliver Marmol for a perceived "lack of hustle", and then benched for a game, outfielder Tyler O'Neill is now back in the starting lineup for the Cardinals.

“I like Tyler O’Neill. I think he’s one of the most talented players in that clubhouse. There is a next step to Tyler in his career, and my job is to get him there,” Marmol said today. Agreed that it was important for O’Neill to be back in the lineup.

L’affair de hustle: over.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) April 7, 2023

“I like Tyler O’Neill," Marmol said with a big smile. "I think he’s one of the most talented players in that clubhouse. There is a next step to Tyler in his career, and my job is to get him there." 

Marmol questioned O'Neill's effort rounding the bases a few days back after he was thrown out at the plate, to which the outfielder shot back, "I'm out there every day grinding my ass off."

Marmol insisted there are no hard feelings. 

“There's a difference between -- and this is what I want to make sure is very clear -- there's a difference between holding a grudge and holding someone accountable,” Marmol said. "It's your ability to sit down with a player before the lights come on and before the stadium is packed and ask them what they want for themselves, what they want for the team and allowing them to articulate exactly that."

O'Neill, a past Gold Glove winner in center field, homered on Opening Day for a fourth straight year to tie an MLB record. He comes into Friday night's game hitting .278. 

Another good reason to get him back in the lineup Friday night: He has three career home runs in 15 at-bats against Milwaukee Brewers' starter Brandon Woodruff.

Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports