5 moments the St. Louis Cardinals earned their villain stripes in 2021

ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 01: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their walk-off victory against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 1, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 01: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their walk-off victory against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 1, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 11: Genesis Cabrera #92 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 11: Genesis Cabrera #92 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Genesis Cabrera plunks Bryce Harper

Relief pitcher Genesis Cabrera faced scrutiny early in the 2021 season due to some wild pitching.

Cabrera and the Cardinals got a lot of heat for a 97-mph pitch that hit Philadelphia superstar Bryce Harper during the April 28 game. Cabrera was visibly upset with what happened.

Thankfully, Harper chilled the heat despite manager Joe Girardi trying to add gas to flames.

On the next pitch, Cabrera threw a 94 mph fastball to the ribs of Didi Gregorious. Girardi was ejected from the game for arguing with home plate umpire Chris Segal.

After the game, Cabrera was deeply apologetic wishing a speedy recovery and all the best to Harper.

The entire Cardinals pitching staff had trouble with hitting batters in 2021. The team had 85 total hits batsmen. Cabrera ended the season with 5.