Willson Contreras embraces being the villain in first game against Chicago Cubs

It has been a controversial weekend for former Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras as the St. Louis Cardinals publicly announced that Contreras wouldn't be viewed as a catcher for the time being as the team looks to correct the struggles of their pitching staff.

Contreras' demotion from catching duties with the Cardinals set the stage for his return to Wrigley Field on Monday night as the Cubs faced their National League Central rival for the first time this season.

After Contreras spent the entirety of Spring Training taking shots at the Cubs, it should be no surprise that he was booed while being introduced on Monday night.

Contreras was an important factor in the Cardinals' 3-1 victory over the Cubs on Monday night as he collected 2 RBI with one coming on a double in the sixth inning. The Wrigley Field faithful rained boos down on Contreras as he approached second base and the catcher-turned-designated hitter embraced the hate.

For Contreras, being a "villain", is all about helping his team win games.

"“I think baseball players have that in themselves,” Contreras said. “Everyone has to have a little bit of that in themself. With my team right now, with the Cardinals, I’m going to try and do my best to win the ballgames. That has to be part of me: Be a little bit of a villain. In a good way.”"

Willson Contreras via The Athletic

There is no doubt that Contreras has added a new element to the Cubs' rivalry with the Cardinals. Regardless of whether fans booed Contreras or cheered for the Cubs' former catcher, there is no doubt that the atmosphere on Monday night was electric and that type of energy should be embraced by Major League Baseball.

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