Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli issued a heartfelt apology Wednesday for shouting "sit down, boy" at Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras, an incident that ignited a benches-clearing brawl during the Nationals' 8-1 victory. Cavalli expressed deep remorse, stating he was "extremely torn up" by the perception of his words, which carry racist connotations. He insisted no ill intention fueled his outburst after striking out Contreras on a full count.

Cavalli acknowledged the historical weight of the term "boy," admitting he didn't fully grasp its implications until the public outcry. He shared that the controversy deeply affected him, preventing him from sleeping and hurting his heart knowing it might alienate young fans. He understands the meaning now and vows such a remark will "never happen again." The incident occurred after Contreras's own controversial bat flip celebration earlier in the week.

Contreras, who was ejected along with several others during the scrum, initially responded by questioning Cavalli's remark before charging the mound. He attempted to throw his helmet toward Cavalli, escalating the situation. Cavalli hopes Contreras will hear his apology and understand the unintentional nature of his comment, emphasizing his regret over the perceived slight.