Rangers v. A's Fans

[Johnny Blaze 47]

texas.rangers.mlb.com/NAS...&fext=.jsp (http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tex/news/tex_news.jsp?ymd=20040914&content_id=857471&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp)

This is going to get even uglier. Franky-Frank's getting suspended for a LONG TIME. I think maybe Mad Max proportions if not more.

Have you seen this video yet?

[Jimcs50]

Monday, September 13, 2004


Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Texas reliever Frank Francisco threw a chair into the right field box seats, hitting two spectators in the head, as Oakland A's fans taunted the visitors after a two-out, top-of-the-ninth homer tied the game.


“ Tonight, it went over the line. It was a real break from the normal trash you hear from fans. We've had problems about every time we've come here. ”
— Rangers manager Buck Showalter




One of the fans, an unidentified woman, was bloodied and her nose was broken Monday night.


With two outs in the ninth, Texas Ranger Alfonso Soriano tied the game at 5 on his second homer of the night. Moments later, with the Rangers' Hank Blalock at the plate, the Texas bench and bullpen cleared.


"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."


Texas reliever Doug Brocail was seen screaming at a male fan, and the pitcher had to be restrained by his teammates and bullpen coach Mark Connor. Others also had to be held back.


Francisco threw the chair at a fan in a lower box near the Rangers' bullpen along the right-field line. The chair hit one man in the head, then bounced and struck the woman on her left temple.


Security ran to the scene and a small section of fans was cleared from their seats.


A's manager Ken Macha came across the field to speak to Dave Rinetti, vice president of stadium operations, before play resumed 19 minutes later.


There was talk between the umpires and managers of suspending the game, clearing the stands and forfeiting the game.


The Athletics won 7-6 in the 10th inning.


Rinetti said afterward that the woman was being treated at a hospital for facial cuts and a broken nose and was considering pressing charges. Francisco was escorted by police out an alternate stadium exit after the game and into a car waiting on the field. No arrests were made.


Brocail declined comment, and Francisco wasn't around the locker room afterward.


Francisco, 25, was named American League rookie of the month for August, when he was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA.

[tlongII]

Playoff race pressure seems to be getting to the Rangers. Hopefully they'll learn from it and play a little better down the stretch next season.

[SAmikeyp]

Fans can go over the line and probably did in this case...that being said...there is absolutely no excuse for what the player did. He should be suspended for long time if not kicked out all together.

[Jimcs50]

"This is the worst case of poor sportsmanship that I have ever witnessed"
- Bobby Knight

[Jimcs50]

Francisco was arrested today.

[jalbre6]

I flipped this on right after Monday Night Football...was surprised that a game was still on that late. Totally fucking bizarre. What can a fan possibly tell a player that would result in that of reaction? Really? Now not only has Frankie cost himself (probably) the rest of his season, he was arrested, and let his team (who needs pitching help like no other) down in a crucial series against the leading team in your division. Worse yet, the Rangers have to win the division to get to the playoffs anyway, and you assault fans in the division leader's park, in the first game of the series? Not making your teammates lives any easier, dumbass.

The cosmetic surgery on that cow he hit with the chair ain't gonna be cheap, either.

[iminlakerland]

Man i heard this on the radio today while driving to school. WTF man i dont care what someone said to you, you dont throw a chair into a crowd of people.

[IcemanCometh]

unless the guy said "throw the chair!"