Bleacher Bums is MLB FanHouse's look at those oh so fun fan adventures.From the sounds of things, Frank Thomas was hearing it from the fans at the Rogers Centre last Friday, especially from one guy in particular who stood behind the home team's dugout and harassed him nonstop. From Canada.com:
After Thomas grounded into a double play in his final at-bat, the big, loud man hurled a few more choice words as Thomas trotted, head down, toward the dugout.Thomas offered no apology after the game, despite the fact there were children within earshot.
Thomas looked up and glared. "F*** you," he said. Then he disappeared down the dugout steps as the heckler and his friends erupted in laughter.
"When they start screaming over the dugout, then you're in my domain," he said. "If you're going to say something wrong, you better be ready for something to be said back to you." ...
"And for people to say what they were saying, after I hadn't played in six days, it was just one of those things that, you say what you want to say, but when you bring it close enough that I can see you, you just better be ready for a response. I'm not a child. I'm not a rude man, but when you engage me in that type of act, you'd better be ready for a response."I can dig wanting to get back at an annoying fan, but dropping an F-bomb? That's so 2006. These days, players tend to be more creative -- Thomas should have talked to teammate Vernon Wells about how to handle the situation, such as inscribing a message on a ball, or perhaps called up Ken Griffey, Jr., who prefers giving hecklers his dirty laundry. But dropping an F-bomb? That just hurts the image, no matter how much you try to explain the situation later.
(via Drunk Jays Fans and Ballhype)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-19-2007 @ 11:41PM
leonard said...
Give it to them Frank.These so-called fans get drunked up, ruin it for other fans and embarass their children.some even encourage their kids to make obscene gestures to the players.
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6-20-2007 @ 12:04AM
Higgly Biggley said...
In the 20s, Ty Cobb went into the stands and beat a guy senseless. Please focus, idiot, as your story should have been about the fan, and someone's misguided interpretation of what you can do, not do at a game.
The Big Hurt is a bit of a big baby when it comes to sports writers, but he had every right to tell that guy to go F himself.
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6-20-2007 @ 9:33AM
Mike said...
If these people are so good why are they in the stands???
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6-20-2007 @ 11:22AM
Michael M. said...
Mr. and I use the term loosly, Thomas is a professional and getting paid huge wages that the fans are paying for. He should remember that regardless if he hits 4 home runs in a game or strikes out 4 times in a game. Keep your sewer mouth closed and remember if it were not for those people ragging you, the stands would be empty. Cry Baby!!!!
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6-20-2007 @ 2:24PM
wildman said...
What is it with the media and this "F-Bomb" crap? It's like they just discovered a word that has been in use forever. Guess what? Athletes use it too!
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6-21-2007 @ 11:11PM
davesraves said...
THOMAS SHOULD HAVE TREATED THE HECKLER LIKE HE DOESN'T EXIST, WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE INSULT. WHEN A PLAYER RESPONDS TO A JERK HECKLER, HE LOWERS HIMSELF DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL, AND LEGITIMIZES WHAT THE JERK IS SAYING. IT LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD. THE IDIOT WILL PROBABLY HECKLE THOMAS RELENTLESSLY NOW, IN THE HOPES THOMAS WILL CHARGE INTO THE STANDS AND THE JERK CAN SUE THE TEAM.
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