Bleed Cubbie Blue

Not completely.

They need to make an example of this guy so this doesn’t happen again.

have shane victorino hose him down with beer

That would be

a punishment? Me next.

copes006 - August 13, 2009 reply

NOT from Lincoln Park

a friend once called me a bigot because I HATE the suburbs, but I am SOOO glad the guy is not from the City of Chicago proper. Still an asshole Cub fan though.

Doggie Stalker - August 13, 2009 reply

You know what boggles my mind?

It really seems like this stuff most often is started by people who are either out-of-towners, or in from the suburbia.

Damen Jackson - August 13, 2009 reply

sadly every team in every sport has a few of these fans

and they are the ones everyone (from other teams) points to as “Cub fans”

you see it here in BCB all the time about the fans who jumped the ump

Look at the thin little chin beard and soul patch

on that scrawny punk. He looks like a real winner.

He isn’t so much a poster child for suburbanites or Cubs fans, but more for people who can’t manage their buzz.

Over at Viva El Birdos

We had a healthy debate today trying to decide if this guy was a douche bag or a hipster.

FlimtotheFlam - August 13, 2009 reply

Douche

DTJchris - August 13, 2009 reply

What's the difference?

bluekoolaide - August 13, 2009 reply

Indistinguishable.

I actually wrote a paper my last year in school (2 years ago) that’s thesis basically states that this here internet has brought the end to (or combination of) all counter cultures. Hippies, hipsters, hobos, they’ve all combined to basically form one conglomerate group of kids and wannabe kids who love PBR, unkempt beards, bikes, and the same art (music / movies / whatever else). And because what used to be many subcultures have evolved in to what is basically one “counterculture” that is more fashion based than politically minded, and because the internet can so quickly poach the trends of these people, the “forward thinking douchebags” (or frat boys as most here seem quick to deem them, albeit irresponsibly) of our society, looking to stick out and draw attention, take on their trends as well.

Consider how quickly the obnoxious sunglasses trend (seen on our beer thrower) moved from counter-culture / hipster thing (purchasing funny shades from the 70’s in consignment stores) to Kanye west thing (think “Stronger” video) to every suburban white kid thing.

What a bunch of yahoos

Emelie - August 13, 2009 reply

The kid was an idiot.

What he did was ridiculous. But I really hope the punishment fits the crime. I think he should be banned from Wrigley forever and a night in jail. An in-person apology to Victorino would be good too. However I don’t want this to ruin his life. I’m sure many of us (myself definitely included) have done something stupid when we’ve had too much to drink.

I know this is probably going to be the minority opinion here, so bring on the flames.

Not a bad idea

LT - August 13, 2009 reply

forever might be a little harsh

but banned until 2011 is fine with me. He threw a beer, he was wrong, ban him for a while, not exile for life

Here's the kicker...

…a “ban for life” doesn’t really keep him from Wrigley. How would they ever enforce that? On the flip side, it’ll scare enough people off to think twice about doing something stupid.

we're gonna computer chip him

like a pet.

Or maybe an ankle collar for house arrest.

I jest.

socalbob - August 13, 2009 reply

right and he might mature a little

after a few years too.

LT - August 13, 2009 reply

exactly

like you said we all have done somethign stupid. I do give him credit for going in to correct his screw up, it would have been easy to just avoid it and watch it go away

Nah it wouldn't have gone away.

They knew who he was. He was dead to rights.

remember father/son assault night at whitesox park? I don't think we have to worry about too harsh a punishment given that a judge has already decided that MLB

…promotes a culture of violent responses.

DudeVf11 - August 14, 2009 reply

Would an in-person apology encourage someone else to commit a similar crime in hopes to meet a celebrity?

Just a thought. Banning would be ideal if only there was a way to enforce it.

katie casey - August 14, 2009 reply

He can be prevented from buying tickets directly

Which is a start. They could refuse to admit him if they recognize him, which is not real easy to enforce.

A restraining order may not be easy to enforce, either, but he’d be in deep if he got caught in violation.

I'm concerned a lifetime ban from Wrigley alone...

… may encourage opposing fans to behave improperly, with the rationale that they won’t be back often, if ever.

MLB wide ban is the way to be. Impossible to enforce, really…. but throw it down and the threat of being caught may be enough.

I thought about that too.

Maybe if they could keep it on the down low. I think the kid would feel like a real douche bag if he had to look Victorino in the eye and say, “sorry I threw a beer in your face.”

cubswynn - August 14, 2009 reply

We can now sleep at night.

Yet another unpopular thought, courtesy the desk of BLou

I’ve been saying for a few years the crowd at Wrigley has horribly deteriorated. I was at the game on Tuesday night and once again was amazed by the level of assclownery all over the ballpark. I’d like to understand how so many drunken frat boys can have so many tickets to Wrigley games for so many games. And why o’ why don’t the ticket takers at least do a little “profiling” of the rowdy “can’t hold their liquor” youngsters before they are even let through the turnstiles?!? And I swear, the next time I see somebody unfurling a “W” flag before the conclusion of a ballgame then you are going to be reading about my arrest at Wrigley.

The growing perception around the rest of baseball is that Cub fans are jagbags. Are we really proud of that development?!?

BLou - August 13, 2009 reply

BLou I may not agree with you all the time

but I agree with a lot of what you say here. I ahve a good friend with three daughters, he will not take them to Wrigley, they go to Milwaukee to watch the Cubs since it is more family friendly for three little girls, and I cannot blame him. Sad but true

So what's the solution?

More alcohol free sections is something I think the Cubs should consider.

People ought to know that the bleachers is the party zone and I actually don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

how about the vendors

actually stop selling to a drunk who has had enough to drink. I am not anti drinking at the game, but its a not a right, its a privilege. If the person has had enough, cut him off, if his/her friends buy drinks to “sneak” to him/her, they are tossed as a group. When something dumb like this happens, you cut beer sales for the game (no matter if it is BP or the 7th)

Cut the beer sales doesn't make any sense.

That’s punishing the masses for one idiot.

The vendors thing won’t work, they get paid off commission.

so do the owners of bars

and they have to cut off people. it comes with the territory. and cutting off the masses, will force people to think twice. I know it may seem a tad extreme, but its the best I can think of on short notice. I am open ears to your thoughts on what to do instead.

again, drinking is not a right, it is a privilege, and if its cut off, so be it.

Right.

I know where you are going, but punishing 40k for 1 dude isn’t the solution.

What if that was a Phillies fan that did that, should all the Cubs fans have to pay for it?

if a Cub vendor served someone who has had too much

why not? The responsibility is not only on the kid, but those who served someone who had too much. If a bartender can get in shit for serving someone who was drunk enough, why should a vendor be different?

Actually...

…I have been denied service from a person behind the counter at a Cubs game bc I was too drunk. So it does happen, but how do you ever trace that back to one of the guys with the beer over his shoulders?

I’m not arguing against you in principle, rather in the practical sense.

I understand and agree in principle to what you are saying

but at the same time, at events nationwide, you see vendors giving drinks to people who can hardly stand up due to their BAC.

Banning smoking anywhere in the ballpark doesn't make any sense either.

But they did it anyway.

While I agree with you on smoking bans...

…I think that’s more of a state law, right? Did they have a choice?

so is Public Intoxication

Nothing is stopping the CPD from arresting people who are intoxicated.

So I’m not exactly sure what your point is. Sorry I hope that doesn’t come off as snarky.

not snarky

and i was being more tongue in cheek smart ass with my reply about PI

I don't think so.

It was an outdoor deck reserved for smoking just two years ago, even. If it is a state law, then it’s the most nonsensical one I’ve ever heard.

I can live with the indoor bans, I get that it sucks for people who don’t like the smell, but outdoors? Give the government an inch, they take a mile.

I know Al doesn't like the political talk...

…so I won’t go down that road.

I’m sure the Cubs did that for PR reasons, as well as $$$ reasons. They could ban smoking and look like the good guys, while not losing any money.

I won't get any more political than that but

it is kind of ironic that we’ve never heard tell of “those idiotic, black-lunged Cubs fans,” yet they’re the ones who can’t enjoy a puff at the park, while the overserved hooligans get free reign of the joint.

Where is the justice?!? :-)

Even though I don't smoke...

…you’re preaching to the choir.

I will say however, you can still chew in the park. Not promoting it, just sayin…

i too am in the chior

and I am a non smoker (just passed my 4 month mark)

Congrats!

As an on again, off again smoker, I know how difficult it is.

DTJchris - August 13, 2009 reply

Its law.

Both Wrigley and Soldier field alike are for some reason determined to be indoor venues, and smoking is not allowed there for that reason.

AndrewJStone - August 13, 2009 reply

That's what I figured.

Who even says this guy was drunk anyway?

He threw a beer. Maybe it was his first. Nobody here knows.

People can be idiots when sober too. Sober idiots can throw water.

Let’s not get so concerned about an overreaction to one event.

madcow256 - August 13, 2009 reply

I should clarify

I don’t mean that there may not be a bad trend occurring in the Wrigley stands. If that has been the case and the organization can’t get it under control, then they should do something.

But we should have some perspective before we try to hang this guy and take away a privilege from everyone else attending the games.

madcow256 - August 13, 2009 reply

Exactly.

I have the same story

The only Cub games my 10 year old daughter goes to are the ones at Miller Park. I won’t take her to Wrigley. I just won’t. What is even more pathetic development are all the assclown Cub fans who invade Miller Park these days and treat the Brewer fans with total disrespect. Fortunately Brewer fans are a passive bunch. But one of these days there is going to be a donnybrook between Brewer fans and assclown Cub fans.

BLou - August 13, 2009 reply

So, you stop all cars with Illinois plates at the border?

You come up with some unbelievable statements.

He wasn't suggesting anything, actually

Shanghai Badger - August 13, 2009 reply

Fortunately Brewer fans are a passive bunch

since when?

Don't take the bait!

I was about to type the same thing, but you can’t have a meaningful discussion with that guy. Just let it go.

but its so irresistable.....

I know but you could argue with the wall and get further.

Don’t give the guy what he wants.

It would help if the wall had "79-83Wins Folks, and No Playoffs"

spray-painted on it, just to give it the right effect, though.

Not Bruce Froemming - August 14, 2009 reply

don't push the button

the shiny red button. Don’t push it…. we don’t know what it will do, maybe something good…. maybe something bad.

tootle - August 13, 2009 reply

There are plenty of jackass Brewers fans

I’ve seen ‘em up close and personal at Miller Park. Usually 20-something guys. Just as bad as anybody you’d see at Wrigley.

Or, in fact, probably any ballpark.

Al Yellon - August 14, 2009 reply

Bingo.

I find it laughable when someone tries to suggest this is suddenly a growing problem unique to Wrigley Field. It’s a sporting event. It’s summertime. There’s alcohol. There’s testosterone. Put these components together in any other city in the country and stupidity is bound to result.

That is true

And with a larger market size, comes the larger number of dbags who do shit like what this kid did. Each team has a % of dbags.

The problem we have at Miller Park during Crew/Cubs games is the dbag Crew fans come out in force to “fight for control” of MP. Then they act like dbags, this chases away non-dbag Cub fans and what we have left are just dbags making the game completely unfun to be at.

I’ve been to about 43 home games this year so far, (Thank god my gf is a baseball fan too) and went to probably my last Cubs/Crew game this year. It’s just unpleasant experience with jags on both sides going at it. Just don’t get in my face while I’m trying to walk up to the game because you are a drunk asshat.

Any tips on getting to wrigley easy? Headed there next month, I’ll be the guy decked out in Crew gear not talking shit. :)

SgtClueLs - August 14, 2009 reply

CTA is the way to go.

Assuming you are coming from SE WI, exit the Edens on Dempster Street, go east about 1/2 mile or so and take the Skokie Swift (Yellow Line). If you’re going to a night game, you’ll be able to park in the lot. Day game, probably on the street – just watch the signs where you park.

Transfer at Howard Street (Red Line; it’s the only stop for the Swift) and take it to Addison.

Exactly.

It’s just a “gang” or “tribal” mentality taken to an extreme – which a certain demographic takes great enjoyment in. Most of us get to an age/point of maturity where we can root for our team while respecting the other team (and its fans) but, until then, we’re often at the mercy of two bands of idiots.

I sit in section 209 and I have can't even recall a drunk

or nut case sitting anywhere near me and my section is often FILLED with young children. I get not wanting to take a kid to the bleachers but it is just stupid ( why am I not surprised) to say you can’t take a kid to a Cubs game. I LOVE taking small kids since they have blast and really don’t care that much about the score.

Doggie Stalker - August 13, 2009 reply

You promised not to take the bait...

….unless it was over Maddux. I’m calling you out for it :)

I know but I though since the subject was a little different

As in all Cub FANS suck as opposed to all Cub players I got one shot.

Doggie Stalker - August 13, 2009 reply

What about assclowns Jessica?

You have any to those sitting by you? ;-)

sue369 - August 13, 2009 reply

^^^ more evidence that blou is not really a Cubs fan ^^^^

Brewers fans are passive? Maybe the fat ones

I’ve been to Wrigley, Miller, and the Cell and all 3 parks bring out some of the dumbest behavior I’ve ever seen. There is no solution for stupidity, the best bet is to beef up security to dissuade some people from acting this way, and to increase the chances people like this get caught.

I don’t know if you’re serious or not, but the Cubs organization doesn’t care who comes to the games. This is a big story now, it will be irrelevant in a week, and the Cubs will still be selling out games, racking up beer sales, and continuing to be one of the most valuable franchises in the MLB.

Ozzie Montana - August 13, 2009 reply

Not a riot, but a donnybrook

But one of these days there is going to be a donnybrook between Brewer fans and assclown Cub fans.

Already has happened.

DrCrawdad - August 13, 2009 reply

We went to a

game at Miller Park last Sept. All of the Cub fans we saw were very well behaved. The only fans we saw get in trouble were Brewer fans starting stuff with Cub fans. There are good fans and rowdy fans at every sporting venue.

sue369 - August 13, 2009 reply

All of the Cub fans we saw were very well behaved. The only fans we saw get in trouble were Brewer fans starting stuff with Cub fans.

DrCrawdad - August 14, 2009 reply

What do you find wrong with that statement?

Are you saying that’s an impossibility?

It's unlikely

As bizarre as Doc can be when it comes to that stuff, he’s got a point this time.

So it's more likely that Cubs fans will behave immaturely...

…than Brewers fans will? Does the Cubs logo somehow trigger anyone wearing it to regress to adolesence?

It’s entirely possible that a group of immature-behaving Brewers fans were seated near a group of mature-behaving Cubs fans and, consequently, those Brewers fans acted like idiots. Not saying it can’t work the other way around, but I have no reason not to believe Sue’s account.

Whoa! Where did I say it was more likely Cubs fans would be immature than Brewers fans?

For that matter, where did I say I didn’t believe Sue’s account? I said it was unlikely.

Note that she didn’t say all the Cubs fans she was with or sat around – it was all the ones that she saw. I’m not trying to pick on Sue, and Crawdad probably is, because he struggles to make any point without being condescending – he could have used actual words instead of the emoticon.

Since most Cubs games in Milwaukee have at minimum 40% Cubs fans, I have a hard time believing that there weren’t any near by that were also culpable.

Well, I would agree that...

…there probably were Cubs fans at Miller Park that day acting like idiots – If only because there’s probably a percentage of every team’s fanbase at any sporting event involving that team acting like idiots. But Sue said “the Cub fans we saw” – and I don’t have a hard time believing that she did not observe any Cubs fans misbehaving. Crawdad seemed to imply that such a thing was either impossible or that Sue was lying.

Well, Crawdad usually needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

And again, he could have made his point a lot better without the emoticon.

Unless that was his point . . . it often is.

The Cub fans that sat in

in our section were families and many with babies. Sorry if you don’t believe my account on this. I may be many thngs but a liar isn’t one of them. I saId the only incident I saw was 20 something Brewer fans harassing a group of young teenage Cub fans. When the security guy saw what was going on he put a stop to it. Where we sat we could see a lot of the stadium and didn’t see any other disturbances. I’m not saying there weren’t some just that we didn’t see any others than the one.

sue369 - August 14, 2009 reply

Jeez Louise

I never said you were a liar. I’ve never accused you of being anything.

I don’t think I said anything unreasonable in the exchange that Dave and I had.

Did you not say

my account was unlikely?

sue369 - August 14, 2009 reply

Yes, I did.

It is an unlikely event. That doesn’t mean it was untrue. Do you disagree that it’s unlikely that all the Cubs fans were angels and the Brewers fans started all the trouble? Again, I’m not saying it didn’t happen. I am saying that it’s hard to believe, so I can understand why Crawdad might question it.

I stand by what I said; you made the leap to me accusing you of being a liar.

I also went on to say that Crawdad could have expressed that a lot better than what he did. Out of curiousity, why would you be more apt to reply to my comments then someone who posted a picture of eyes rolling? Maybe it’s because he’s not going to take part in an exchange with you, which I could understand.

My reply was to BM

because he said the assclown Cub fans who invade Miller Park. I replied that the day we were there we didn’t see any Cub fans causing trouble. The Brewer fans were well behaved except for the group I mentioned. That’s it.

I responded to you because I interact with you on here and I felt bad that you didn’t believe what I was saying. If I’m wrong about that I apologize. Dr. is a troll IMO so I ignore him.

sue369 - August 14, 2009 reply

Fair enough

And I truly apologize for making you feel bad. I should have been more careful with my own response.

And then she saw...

… Cubbie fans looking after widows and orphans, feeding the multitude and healing the sick and lame.

DrCrawdad - August 14, 2009 reply

Cubbie fans looking after widows and orphans, feeding the multitude and healing the sick and ~~lame.~~ Soxie fans.

lame

DrCrawdad - August 14, 2009 reply

Ouch, that hurts

"Profiling" somebody who MIGHT drink too much?

Now I’ve heard it all.

But of course

You a passive liberal from southern California. It would be too draconian for the ticket takers and security detail to deny access to drunken Cub fans at the gates. What about their rights?!?!?!?

BLou - August 13, 2009 reply

Hey, Blue Mike

Should you take the bac. of every person that enters the park? That’s the only way you can prove somebody is drunk.

Have you heard about my...

…“Don’t take the bait campaign” when it comes to him?

You’re trying to reason with someone who claims to be holier than thou and then turns around and says the kind of crap you find here on BCB. Don’t take the bait!

Forgot

Do you watch the game while you are there

or do you sift through all 40,000 fans to see if they are drunk bozo’s? All over the ballpark? Hyperbole much?

LT - August 13, 2009 reply

you haven;t been reading the board lately

if you think thats an unpopular thought.

i wouldnt be proud of a growing perception that Cubs fans are jagbags – but i dont believe it. kind of like when i hear that the rest of the world hates americans, yet the rest of the world eats mcdonalds, buys justin timberlake albums, and goes to see transformers.

this kind of stuff happens everywhere.

Not Bruce Froemming - August 14, 2009 reply

I had to Google

jagbag

Now I know it means the same thing as malaka

Harry Pavlidis - August 13, 2009 reply

There's nothing

quite like a malaka.

I had to look up "donnybrook."

Y’know no matter how incendiary or reactionary BLou’s comments may be, I’m going to give him points for choosing that word. Oh, and “jagbag,” too.

Notre Dame Cubbie - August 13, 2009 reply

In other breaking news.

The Cubs just lost the division.

SackMan - August 13, 2009 reply

Sadly..

The most prevalent news.

What a waste of perfectly good beer.

I would have drunken it instead.

The Guy Who Accidentally Saved the World - August 13, 2009 reply

This gets right to the heart of it.

Brilliant & Rec’d!

Already did.

The Guy Who Accidentally Saved the World - August 13, 2009 reply

Also, less legal complications that way.

Usually.

My first green guy!

Score! Thanks guys!

The Guy Who Accidentally Saved the World - August 14, 2009 reply

So...

what’s his BCB username?

ryan89 - August 13, 2009 reply

BLou

DTJchris - August 13, 2009 reply

our long national nightmare is over

What ever will ESPN talk about tomorrow?!

I remember back in the day, beer showers happened ALL the time.

no its pretty much only at wrigley field

and it really hurts our reputations, especially compared with fans of the phillies and mets, whose stadiums are mostly filled with choir boys

I was talking about Wrigley.

wurd

they did seem to happen more often back in the day

remember the andre dawson bat throwing that precipitated everyone chucking their beers? that was cool

I do actually.

I was at the game the day after and pretty young. There was a 10 minute delay the next day (before the game) because the umpire was announced and everyone threw crap on the field.

I gotta think...

…the dude that was wrongfully ejected MIGHT have a lawsuit. Think what a douche he looked like to every person watching on ESPN across the country — and worse — to every person who knows him. No doubt he had to be hancuffed, pushed around, etc.

Kinda sucks for him! He should at least get some free tickets.

I imagine he does have some recourse...

… for one thing, since he was arrested by the police for something he did NOT do, and there is video evidence of that, he might be able to sue the Chicago police for false arrest.

I’m guessing he’ll get some money from the Cubs and it will be settled very privately.

Was he ever actually arrested though?

From what I heard, yes, he was.

I'm surprised no other fans...

…ratted the real culprit out last night…At least the guy didn’t miss a thrilling comeback!

The reason they didn't...

… was because while the other guy was being roughed up, the real culprit sneaked out of the ballpark.

I dunno, from the replay people were definitely trying to rat out the guy.

Problem: most people didn't see it.

Okay...

…I thought you guys were saying that people were trying to cover for him.

I figured one of the Tosser's former friends/ex-girlfriends/nasty relatives...

…would rat him out after seeing his picture on the Internet.

The Tosser...

… shall he his offical name.

Urban Dictionary for Tosser: while the word wanker is a more general and term for expressing disdain for somebody, the word tosser describes a person with a tendency to show off or brag in an excessive and embarrassing way.

LOL, I know - it's rather perfect if I do say so myself.

And here’s his soundtrack - hopefully the very thoughts that will be going through Johnny’s head every time he thinks about going to a Cubs game anytime soon.

I'm sure he got roughed up a little too.

I would sue for every dollar I could get! No excuse in this day and age with the technology we have to arrest the wrong person.

cubsluver22 - August 13, 2009 reply

You are sure?

How? Did you see it?

Don't blame the alcohol

Do we know he was even drunk? When it happened the score was what, like 11-2?? He was pissed off like the rest of us and when Fox hit what at first looked like might be a HR the kid probably got a little excited but then when he realized it was just another can of corn he was rightfully frsutrated and reacted by throwing a beer. Am I defending it? No. Stupid move. But can we blame it on the alcohol? No because we don’t know how much he had to drink. He might have been sober for all we know.

He was 21 and had a beer in his hand.

I agree – we don’t know whether he was “piss drunk” or “slightly buzzed,” but I don’t have a hard time believing alcohol was directly related in lowering his inhibitions to the point where he would do something stupid like that.

What about the Phils fan

who appeared to throw something at the (wrongfully accused) Cub fan while security was leading him up the steps? Did anybody else catch that on Sportscenter? It looked like he chucked something at the fan in defense of Victorino. And right in front of security too.

I saw what looked like...

…another security guard point at him in a “you’re coming with me” kinda way

dahcar - August 13, 2009 reply

It's been my experience that

the bleachers are generally pretty rowdy but the rest of the park is much different. I’ve sat in the sections behind the dugout before and there isn’t any of the “bleacher behavior” going on at all. I’ve only been to Wrigley a handful of times (I’m an east coaster). Is this generally true or is that a false perception??

False perception.

While there is trouble on occasion in the bleachers, there aren’t incidents like this every day. They are rare.

I completely agree.

Wrigley's bleachers are mellow...

compared to Dodger Stadium’s. They don’t even sell booz out there in LA and they still have LAPD all over the place in the outfield.

I think Wrigley’s high priced bleacher seats keep the crowd in check — Lower priced seats tend to attract the riff-raff fans that cause trouble. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t outfield seats generally much cheaper than other tickets at other ballparks?

True.

Wrigley bleacher seats are the most expensive in baseball. Even the new Yankee Stadium bleachers are only $14.

All bleacher seats in LA are alcohol free?

That wasn’t the case 2 years ago when I was out there. Only the All You Can Eat section was.

To my knowledge, ALL of them are...

…I haven’t sat out there since last season. It was an absolute nightmare —

So bad, I even posted a fanshot about it

It’s mentioned in the comments that people were drunk even no booz was sold

I'm going next week. Guess we'll find out when I'm sitting in Mannywood.

I actually hope it is alcohol free.

cubswynn - August 14, 2009 reply

Wrigley definitely has more expensive bleacher tix

than most parks. Hell, at Rockies games you can sit in the bleachers for a $1 for certain games. Imagine what the gate-rush scene on Waveland would be like if that were the case at Wrigley. I think the bleacher tix are more for the Cubs because let’s face it, it’s a popular place to be. A lot of people enjoy that atmosphere and want to sit out there. I’ve seen a few games from the bleachers and a few from behind the dugouts and I must say, it’s WAY more fun in the bleachers. Not necesarily the case in many other parks.

I have to imagine

if they ever do outlaw booze in the bleachers…this will certainly become a popular item.

The Beer Belly

TheRiot Police - August 13, 2009 reply

good beer

Well, this is nice

but I would much, much, much rather be talking about how the Cubs won their 7th game in a row, or how Milton Bradley is leading the league in RBI’s

Instead, its “The Beer Hunter” shit.

This is what 2009 Cub Season has become.

The E-Man - August 13, 2009 reply

2003

Rocco Baldelli had the unique privilege of getting a beer shower at both Wrigley and The Cell.

DrCrawdad - August 13, 2009 reply

LOL

i like how in the article it says that security mistakenly fingered the other fan….interesting choice of words.

HardForharden - August 13, 2009 reply

the other guy still looks like a douche

n/t

Chanman25 - August 14, 2009 reply

I'll say.

what happened to Guilty till proven innocent??

I am suprised the whole row was not taken in at the time,,,,then sort it out

cozmotaylor123 - August 14, 2009 reply

Not enough security people to do that.

Al Yellon - August 14, 2009 reply

have I missed it or

has the night game vs. day game difference in crowd behavior been discussed? I go mostly to day games and I don’t think you get the same level of drunkeness and/or bad behavior – maybe they should just ban night games in the bleachers!

doofus cubs guy - August 14, 2009 reply

You're being facetious, of course.

But it’s generally true, night game crowds are rowdier. What would help there would be extra security at night games and an earlier cutoff of alcohol sales.

Al Yellon - August 14, 2009 reply

Hopefully...

this guy’s picture gets sent to all MLB parks — especially the Cell; Miller Park; whatever the hell they call Detroit’s stadium and Busch.

It’s probably too much to ask to expect some security guy in San Diego to catch the guy, so if he goes to Sea World, he can probably get safely into a Padres-Cubs game.

But at least, they can ban him from the South Side and the surrounding states and make it stick.

Am I the only one willing to give the Tosser at least a little bit of a break?

Look, what he did was clearly stupid and wrong. And, obviously, the ideal thing to have done immediately afterward would’ve been to turn himself into security right then and there. But, assuming he was under the influence (which I still think is a fairly safe assumption), it’s somewhat understandable that he he panicked and ran. Pathetic, but understandable.

Nonetheless, he did come to his senses, turn himself in and he’s now made a fairly gracious, apparently honest apology to Victorino and the Cubs. (See video at the bottom of the Trib article Al posted.) He’s 21 years old, for God’s sake. How many of us didn’t do something stupid at that age? OK, maybe not this stupid, but I’m guessing many of us could have done something just as idiotic had we been put in the right (read: wrong) situation.

I’m not saying he shouldn’t be prosecuted nor perhaps banned from Wrigley for at least some period of time, but give the kid credit for admitting his mistake and doing the right thing…eventually.

No break from me

Yes he "turned himself in’ hours after a perfectly clear photo of him was ALL over the news and the internet so he knew he was getting caught. I imagine if he had any sense now that he was sober he talked to lawyer first who told him what would be good to say. I don’t want to put him in jail and throw away the key but I think a LIFETIME ban at Wrigley a few days in the pokey and several hundred hours
of community service would do. It is VERY important to set an example here.

Doggie Stalker - August 14, 2009 reply

A lifetime ban seems a little harsh

But a one-year ban seems a little light. I think five years would make the point.

I was gonna say 10 years.

Basically: “Thanks for your patronage, Johnny. Don’t come back til your 31.” But maybe his lawyer could get that knocked down to five.

Eh, I still think a lifetime ban is a little much.

And is that really feasible anyway – so the guy shows up when he’s 35 and security’s really going to turn him away?

But I would agree with the jailtime and definitely with the community service. And I’d try to ban him for 10 years, though even enforcing that would be difficult.

Ok I got . Ban him until the Cubs win a World Series

Maybe it is a lifetime ban or maybe he can come to Opener next year.

Doggie Stalker - August 14, 2009 reply

Ha - that would actually be a highly creative punishment.

Cruel and unusual? Perhaps. But I like it.

Lifetime ban from all MLB parks

And minor league parks and try to get the Independent Leagues to cooperate AND see if the NFL, NBA and NHL will go along as well.

Sure it wouldn’t be the easiest thing to enforce. But you send his picture to all stadiums. Put the onus on him to break the trespass.

He might get away with it 10 times, but on the 11th time, prosecute him for trespassing.

You want to send a message, send one. Otherwise, slap his wrist and move on.

And if he shows up at one of Drew's son's little league games...

…PUT THE SMACK DOWN!

He shows up at Little Drew's games...

Unleash HELL!

Good for him

I don’t think a lifetime ban should be imposed, cause like another poster said it’s impossible to enfore it. Second, it’s very harsh punishment and it seems like he’s remorseful. It’s not like he threw a battery at Victorino….I’m looking at you Philly fans!

I'm not a big fan of the "Billy got X for doing Y, so Johnny should get Z for doing W" arguments.

Remorse is great, but it doesn’t undo the act.

He’s got to get a punishment strong enough to make others think twice (once?) before doing something similar.

I do agree that a lifetime ban seems harsh, though.

Why?

I mean, other than “seeming” harsh.

People are forgetting that not only is it classless to throw things on the field, it’s dangerous.

You could easily throw a beer and cause an outfielder to misjudge the ball and be hit by it, or cause the outfielder to slip and wrench a knee, or plow into the ivy.

And that’s beer.

Lifetime ban from all parks, major or minor and try to get the NFL, NBA and NHL to cooperate.

Make an example.

And please… people turn themselves in when the cops have them. Better to make sure the cops aren’t forced to bust down your door or arrest you at your workplace.

I'm with you on the remorse part, Worf

Yes, I suppose it is possible that Victorino was badly hurt – and I’m grateful that he wasn’t hurt.

You could also easily blow through a yellow light and cause a left-turning car on the other side to veer into traffic or a pedestrian. However, a lifetime ban from driving isn’t going to work. (A flawed analogy, yes.)

Not going to work? You're right

But that’s not the same as not being appropriate.

As I said, this guy would probably get away with going to several — maybe dozens of games. No security guy in Tampa or Seattle or San Diego is going to take it all that seriously. (Because they would figure he’d never make it there)

And if he grew a beard or changed his haircut or wore sunglasses, he’d probably get into Wrigley 80 percent of the time.

But put the onus on him to break the law to get in.

Here's my take

I’d give him a 5-year ban. But if he gets more than that, I won’t feel all that sorry.

I still say that’s extreme – beyond the fact that the other leagues would never go along with it, I don’t agree that your proposed punishment fits the crime.

Rugby

You could easily throw a beer and cause an outfielder to misjudge the ball and be hit by it, or cause the outfielder to slip and wrench a knee, or plow into the ivy.

I played rugby in college and once got tackled out of bounds onto a full case of beer. Didn’t feel that great, but I was fine and got right back in there. I don’t really buy the argument that he could’ve got hurt from flying beer. He’s a professional athelete, so I think it would take more than that for Victorino to get hurt.

People are forgetting that not only is it classless to throw things on the field, it’s dangerous.

I agree it can be potentially dangerous if some other object was thrown onto the field, like let’s say a battery or some other hard object. I’m not justifying him throwing anything, cause it’s definitely wrong, classless, and infantile. I just believe it’s overreacting just a tad to banish him for a single instance.

Maybe I'm wrong

But I’m fairly sure the Phillies practices’ don’t include training for beer being thrown on you.

Athletes train for what happens on the field — judging where the wall is, or the conditions of the fields, or the wildness of that day’s pitcher.

They shouldn’t be expected to train for foreign objects.

I realize that

but to claim that a non-toxic liquid could cause harm to a grown man is preposterous. I believe his conviction (lack for a better word) is punishment enough. I seriously doubt he’ll be a repeat offender, and I’m basing that off of him turning himself in. Being remorseful does involve some outside influences like “hey, we got you on camera” or we know who you are, etc. etc. How people would turn themselves in after a night of drinking and driving? 0

What if the beer blinded him and he got hit by the ball?

From what i'm reading...

… he blamed his friend (the one that actually got arrested), left the stadium in a hurry, and then went over to Harry’ Carry’s and talked up what he’d done in a VERY proud manner.

I’d guess he woke up the next morning, saw his face all over the net, had daddy call a laywer, and was told “they’ve got you dead to rights… appear sorry and hope for the best, kid”.

Remorse is easily feigned in the face of punishment.

Yep.

Remorse is easily feigned in the face of punishment.

I think he really is sorry, though. Sorry that he got caught.

Do you have a link for the story with those details?

Just curious.

Maybe I am being a little too gullible cutting him some slack following his surrender and apology. Or maybe I’m being somehow reverse-ageist for giving him a break because of his age – 21 just seems so young to me now.

Well

Remorse is easily feigned in the face of punishment.

Would you turn yourself in to the police after driving drunk the night before? No, normal people would only do this if the authorities had some sort of evidence.

I'm not sure what the point of this is

Do you mean if you drove home when you shouldn’t, but caused no accidents or damage?

This was an assault, not someone getting away with driving home buzzed because he went slow and no one was around.

The point

is you said that remorse is easy when faced with some sort of punishment. Without the threat of punishment, would a normal person (you or I) turn themselves in to the police after drinking and driving? The answer is no.

Or anything that isn't considered a violent crime

No, no

First of all, AJS said it; I agreed with it.

Second of all, you didn’t clarify your example.

Putting people at risk

while drinking and driving, even though no one witnessed your violation/felony. Just like you said: what would’ve happened if the ball hit Victorino in the face? The same with drinking and driving….what would happen if you hit a pedestrian or caused a fatality?

Ok, but there is a contradiction in what you're saying

Because there was the threat of punishment, as I mentioned earlier. The guy was going to get caught; that’s why he turned himself in. I wouldn’t advocate any leinency for that.

No contradiction

Someone about to get caught is almost always going to turn themselves in. Rarely, do people turn themselves into authorities without provocation. It’s possible for someone to be remorseful, and turn themselves in at the same time.

And there WAS the thread of punishment without turning himself in

He was going to get caught eventually

I have no idea what the point you are trying to make is...

… but mine went like this:

I’m sure he’s sorry, now. Because he was caught.

Chances are, if he got away with it, he wouldn’t be sorry he did it. If anything, he’d probably still think it was a ‘cool’ action to take.

So giving him credit for being apologetic once it was a forgone conclusion that he’d be caught and punished isn’t really worth much. Why wasn’t he remorseful the second security came in to his area? Why not when they yanked the wrong guy and ruined a game for a fan who hadn’t done the crime?

We saw remorse only once there was consequence. That’s pretty hollow remorse.