Pitcher Rob Dibble of the Cincinnati Reds...

Pitcher Rob Dibble of the Cincinnati Reds has accused Oakland’s Dave Stewart of intentionally hitting Billy Hatcher with a pitch during the final game of the World Series. In retaliation, Stewart called Dibble a punk.

The exchange apparently occurred during separate interviews after Saturday night’s game.

“I felt that was a horsefeathers thing to do--hit a guy because he’s hot,” Dibble was quoted as saying. “Of course, I think it was intentional. He put his guys in jeopardy, and he is lucky he isn’t in the National League, where he has to bat.”

Told of Dibble’s remarks, Stewart said: “Tell him he is a punk. Tell him to talk to me when he has won 20 games or saved 40. He’s a reliever who doesn’t know how to pitch. He has a fastball and that’s it. Tell him to learn how to pitch. He is stupid and doesn’t know anything about baseball. I hit people by mistake, not on purpose.”