Ravenwood - 09/15/04 06:00 AM
I don't think I will ever understand why pro athletes think they are justified in attacking the fans who taunt them. Recently a Texas Rangers pitcher was arrested after he allegedly threw a chair into the crowd striking two fans in the head. (Geraldo Rivera was unavailable for comment.)
Despite the obvious physical battery by one of his players, the Ranger's manager blamed the Oakland fans who were taunting them:
"Tonight, it went over the line," Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. "It was a real break from the normal trash you hear from fans. We've had problems about every time we've come here."So much for personal responsibility. I don't care how much someone is screaming, yelling, or taunting you. If you pick up a chair and hurl it at them, you're guilty as sin.
Just think, Pete Rose is banned for betting, but players who attack obnoxious fans usually get off with a small fine.
(Aside: Didn't George W. Bush once own the Texas Rangers? I bet this is somehow his fault.)
Category: Dumb Criminals
Comments (4) top link me
As bad as the attack was, the Rangers' placing of the blame on the fans was even worse.
"Tonight, it went over the line..."
-- Buck Showalter
Indeed it did, Buck. And if I were the owner, your response to the incident would have been the reason for your sudden unemployment.
Posted by: roger at September 15, 2004 11:08 AMThrowing a chair into the stands, where bystanders can be injured, is outrageous behavior, the player should be disciplined, and the Ranger's manager is out to lunch. That said...
I'm not a sports fan, but I think "fans" who habitually taunt athletes should be warned to shut up, and thrown out of the stadiums if they cannot behave. If they have season tickets, they should be reimbursed. The athletes may be well paid, but I disagree with the people who think that putting up with crap is just part of their job. I've seen filmclips of fans running continuously off at the mouth.
I have no more sympathy for a fan who gets his clock cleaned under those circumstances than I would for some guy who picks a fight with a big guy in the street. Public rudeness is inexcusable, and with all due respect, Ravenwood, I think you're enabling it a little bit here.
Daniel Day
Perhaps. But throwing a chair is never the answer.
Sports in general are becoming more chaotic; from U. of Maryland's fans yelling the F-word so loud you could hear it on TV, to people heckling golfers when they tee off.
Posted by: Ravenwood at September 15, 2004 9:27 PMAm I losing my mind, or was there an incident many years ago where Duane Thomas of the Dallas Cowboys went into the stands and got into it with a fan? I mentioned this to my brothers the other day after the Pistons/Pacers melee and they thought I was nuts. (Probably because I said there was a bologna involved in the attack). Help me, help me.
Posted by: Champ Duncan at November 21, 2004 8:35 PM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
