Chairman of the Horde, Frank Francisco
Posted on 09/14/2004 9:53:29 AM PDT by Area Freeper
Texas reliever Frank Francisco was arrested Tuesday morning on a charge of aggravated battery after he threw a chair into the right-field box seats and hit two spectators in the head during Monday night's loss to the Oakland Athletics.
One of the fans, an unidentified woman, was bloodied and her nose was broken.
Major League Baseball's commissioner's office said Tuesday morning that it was investigating. Francisco was co-operative after he was taken into custody, Oakland Police Department deputy chief Peter Dunbar said.
Related Info Texas reliever hurls chair at A's fans
With two outs in the ninth inning, the Rangers' Alfonso Soriano tied the game 5-5 with his second homer of the night. Moments later, with Hank Blalock at the plate, the Texas bench and bullpen cleared.
After the game, Rangers manager Buck Showalter said the fans ``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,'' he said.
On Tuesday, Texas owner Tom Hicks issued an apology.
``On behalf of the Texas Rangers, I want to apologize for the conduct of some members of our club last night in Oakland. Their behaviour, especially the injury to a fan, was unacceptable. Even in a difficult or abusive environment, players should never be provoked into such actions,'' Hicks said in a statement, adding that he had been in contact with the commissioner's office.
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.
``From what I understand, there was some calls made to security early during the game but I have no idea what started it out there,'' crew chief Joe Brinkman said.
Rinetti said afterward that the woman was being treated at a hospital for facial cuts and a broken nose. Francisco was escorted by police out an alternate stadium exit after the game and into a car waiting on the field.
Rangers officials did not return calls Tuesday morning.
Brocail declined to comment, and Francisco wasn't around the locker room afterward.
Francisco, 25, was the American League rookie of the month for August, when he was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA.
The teams meet again Tuesday night in Oakland.
With the money these overpaid crybabies make, you'd think they would get a thicker skin. I'm glad they arrested him, and I'm a Rangers fan.
GOOD! I hope they nail his ass to the wall.
And somehow the demonrats will connect this to W?
Chairman of the Horde, Frank Francisco
Wow, a $5 million dollar broken nose.....
He could've broken mine for half that price....
NeverGore :^)
You want to do something about it Buck? How about beating the A's for once.
What was said?
Some of the fans are pigs.
Is Francisco a citizen? If not, deport him.
Guess which team he used to own?
Those rude fans should have been removed by security long before the 9th inning. That's what they're for - to defuse potentially explosive situations.
Having said that, there is absolutely no excuse for attacking a fan like that. Francisco should be suspended for the rest of the year without pay.
W used to be one of the owners of the Texas Rangers.
I have no idea, but if he isn't, I agree.
i saw it on sports center last night. the guy has it coming. he needs to be charged - and this needs to be an object lesson.
john kruk had a rather good speech about player behavior during a game with the fans..
I'm a big time Ranger fan too. They've got to get a thicker skin, and take it out on the other team by scoring runs while preventing the other guys from scoring any. It's a real embarrassment for MLB and the Rangers.
And spend next year in the California Penal League.
Wow, what a tough guy - breaking a woman's nose with a chair.
Pinging Bobby Knight!
Yes, it's about time these pampered princes live by the same laws as the rest of us. Lets see if Oakland has any courage.
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