I assume Blue Jacket knew that if Red Jacket touched the ball, it would be a ground rule double, but if he didn't, Varitek had a shot at a triple. So as Blue Jacket was reaching down and over to push Red Jacket out of the way, he may have brushed Sheffield, who was just about to field the ball.
Sheffield got the ball, but before throwing it back to the infield, he turned and swung both hands at Blue Jacket. After getting rid of the ball -- Varitek did get a triple -- Sheffield whirled around again, ready to fight. Fortunately, all of the fans along the wall had backed off, Sheffield remained on his side of the stands and a security guy raced over from the bullpen to keep order. The fan was ejected from the park, but I don't think he was arrested.
Sheffield: "I just felt something hit me in the mouth. I don't know if he hit me or not, it felt like it. I thought my lip was busted. ... To get punched in the mouth, you don't expect that in a baseball game."
Except you didn't say you were punched. In fact, you're not even sure you were hit. ... I'm sure the fans were giving it to Sheffield all night, which doesn't help matters, but I've yet to see a replay that showed any intentional contact between a fan and Sheffield, let alone an actual punch. Photos.
mike and i were questioning that incident as well. it just didn't seem to us that the guy tried to intentionally swipe sheffield...although it is a compelling arguement for why fans should keep their hands inside the stands and not out on the field. that said, i think gary sheffield is the world's biggest a-hole and a cheater besides, so i don't feel very sympathetic to him.
ReplyDeleteYou and I saw the same game then, because I didn't see anything that I would consider to be intentional striking of Sheffield. I've watched several replays and listened to Sheffields interview about the incident and am disgusted at his behavior.
ReplyDeleteOnce again the Yankees give me reason to think they suck!
P.S. my question from the other day is a stupid one, possibly via email?
Agreed. And I'd like to point out that the beer spilling was unintentional as well - its clearly in the two photographs posted, that the woman holding the beer and wearing gloves jumped back with a look of shock on her face when sheff swung at the fan - and you can see very clearly that her glove is now dead against the guy she is standing next too - who btw was holding a beer in his hand. She simply knocked his beer out.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting more and more pissed off at Boston Dirt Dogs for trying play the baseball PC role. I might have to officially stop reading that damn blog mostly because seeing the fever pitch shit made me want to vomit.
Soxy,
Mary