So-Called Baseball Fans Make Mockery at Wrigley

rink a snootful of beer, go to a baseball game, then drink some more. Heckle a player, then decide you want his hat, or maybe the portion of anatomy on which it rests. Jump onto the field and impress your friends. Right on! Show the sports world that you thought this was a WWF event.

We write all the time about how athletes display their own brand of buffoonery. After what transpired at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, its time we give some newsprint (oops .. e-print) to the single-digit IQ fans that, sadly, inhabit our sporting venues.

Chad Krueter, a backup catcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was minding his own business, dutifully warming up his relief pitchers in the Wrigley Field bullpen. A fan grabbed Kreuter's cap, apparently struck him and took off running. Kreuter went after the fan, and a few of his teammates followed. A few more players scattered into the crowd, and several Dodgers were seen tussling with fans.

When the fight was over, several fans got the boot, and the game was delayed for almost 10 minutes. One of the most pathetic events at any sporting event "ever" slapped its moniker on Wrigley Field history.

Some might perceive Hundley’s comments as casual and a bit too jocular. Perhaps, but the fact remains that this so-called fan (OK, "non" fan) did nothing but cross the line that separates participants from the spectators. It’s not far-fetched to imagine that the next fan that jumps over a fence, or onto a basketball court, or football field, might be packing something other than his bare hands and gross stupidity. Just ask Monica Seles what I mean. Officially, I wouldn’t have recommended that Krueter retaliate in any way. Unofficially, I won’t condemn him either.

Equally pathetic in this unfortunate melee are the fans that cheered on the mini brawl, pumping their fists in full belief that watching a baseball game at a baseball field isn’t enough. You know this fan didn’t suddenly become drunk and jump onto the field. He probably spent a few innings taunting the bullpen players, and bragging to his friends about his hooligan intentions. Just look at the smiles on their faces as this was unfolding.

There will come a day when barbed-wire fences will separate the players from the fans. That’s when real baseball fans such as myself will turn around, go home, and watch "All in the Family" reruns. The non-baseball fans, namely those cheap excuses for sports fans, will be left alone to tear down what’s left of whatever stadium they seek to embarrass.

Let’s hope this latest event was mere aberration. The cynic in me thinks otherwise.

… Portland-LA in the NBA’s Western Conference Finals. Let the playoffs begin.

… Thank you goes out to Bryan Russell, who cut short teammate Jeff Hornacek’s glorious career by missing two free throws at the end of the Jazz-Blazers game Tuesday Night. With the Jazz down one with less than 10 seconds to play, Russell clanked both free throws off the front of the rim, to ensure Utah’s playoff elimination. Hornacek announced this season that the 1999-2000 campaign would be his last. Thanks for the memories Jeff. You weren’t flashy, but you didn’t have to be. We’ll miss you!

… Back to baseball. The Oakland A’s ended last week with a meager .262 batting average, but ranked first in the AL in runs scored. Reason enough to lobby the newspapers to include walks, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage in their weekly stats line.

… Even in defeat, Randy Johnson was awesome. In a 2-0 loss to Montreal Tuesday night, Johnson hurled eight innings, relinquished one run, struck out 12, and walked notta. In the "Let’s Be Fair Department", applause goes to his mound opponent that night, 23-year old right-hander Javier Vasquez. Vasquez pitched eight innings of shutout ball, handing Johnson his first loss of the season.

… The New York Knicks and Miami Heat are battling it out in Game Five of their series, in non-grand style, I might add. Gotta go watch … Bye !!!!

Any comments, criticisms, or condemnations on this sports column or previous ones? Feel free to email me at andydan@milwpc.com