(Astro)Biggio's wife slapped at White Sox's ballpark

Houston Chronicle ^

[Jalapeno]

Biggio's wife slapped at White Sox's ballpark

Guillen issues apology to Astro, condemns fan

By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ

Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen issued a public apology on behalf of his organization to Astros second baseman Craig Biggio, whose wife was slapped by a fan in the stands at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I feel like it's our fault, and I talked to (Biggio) about it, and he knows we're sorry," Guillen said. "He knows it was something we couldn't control. It wasn't like a fight. (The fan) hit the lady and left."

The incident occurred on Sunday night during Game 2 of the 101st World Series at Chicago's ballpark, where several members of the Astros' traveling party were harassed.

"He slapped her and ran," Biggio said of the fan who struck his wife, Patty. "She ran after him. My brother-in-law ended up putting him against the wall. That's pretty sorry."

Asked if Patty had been hurt, Biggio said his New Jersey-raised wife held her own.

"You don't slap a New Jersey girl and get away with it," he said. "That happens sometimes. It's terrible. It's over."

Added Guillen: "I wish she would have grabbed something and broken his head. If that happened to my family, it would have been a big problem. ... People should just go to the game and not bother people next to you, or you're not a White Sox fan or a baseball fan. Just enjoy the game. Drink if you want to drink; just respect the people next to you."

No criminal complaint was made against the fan, according to Chicago police. Chicago defended

Biggio, manager Phil Garner, general manager Tim Purpura, catcher Brad Ausmus and several of the Astros were adamant that a few cowardly acts weren't indicative of the White Sox or Chicago fan base.

"The word was that the guy had been gouging her a little bit, pulling her hair and just doing some stupid things, things that are just not necessary," Garner said. "Have your fun. This (World Series) is a great thing for them and a great thing for us. Cheer and be as loud as you want to be and whatever else, but don't do that.

"I can't imagine Patty Biggio ever saying anything that would incite anything, either. I just can't imagine that. Even if she had, there's no excuse."

Despite the incident, Garner said he heard the Astros' traveling party had mostly positive experiences with the fans.

Nonetheless, Guillen did not hide his disgust at the treatment Patty Biggio received.

"On behalf of the White Sox organization, I just don't think we could control that," Guillen said. "But I think the family is a big part of my life. I think especially the kids. And when that happened in the ballpark, you feel you need to be supportive.

"When you're a man and you hit a lady, no matter whose wife it is or whose sister it is, you respect them. But it's something that's tough to control. It happened so quick." More harassment

Although Patty Biggio was the only Astros wife who was slapped Sunday, she wasn't the only member of the traveling party who was harassed. Ausmus said his wife, Liz, endured some vulgar taunts and a few vulgar hand gestures throughout the night.

"Some of the treatment that the Astros families received at U.S. Cellular Field was a huge black eye for the city of Chicago," Ausmus said. "Now, I understand that's not indicative of all the people in the Chicago area, because I have friends and relatives there.

"I know the people of Chicago are overwhelmingly good people. But if I was from Chicago, I'd be embarrassed by the way the Astros' families were treated by the White Sox fans. My wife didn't get hit or anything, but people flipped her off and were screaming at her."

The attendance at U.S. Cellular Field was announced as 41,432 for Game 2, and the crowd was obviously overwhelmingly in support of the White Sox. With that in mind, Ausmus said there was little the Astros' family members could do in response. "You don't want to get caught in a situation where you're inflaming the masses," Ausmus said. "So I think as an Astros fan at a visiting park, you pretty much have to swallow it."

'Bring him to me'

Maybe so, but Guillen insinuated that he would have definitely defended anybody in the Astros' traveling party.

"I know the security in Chicago is doing a great job," Guillen said. "And when something happens so quick, you can't blame anybody. And the guy that did it, he should be brought to Biggio, and he's the one that can hopefully get him back.

"I told the police, 'Don't put him in jail. Bring him to me in the dugout.' But hopefully, that won't happen again."

Shortstop Adam Everett heard a little bit about the incident, but he knew more than enough to form his opinion.

"That's real weak," he said. "That's bad. I don't care where you're at, to hit a woman is not good."

[The_Victor]

I found it (Kentucky that is)

Midwestern influence is felt in Pittsburgh (an old pioneer town), West Virginia (which seceded from Virginia), Louisville (an industrial city on the Ohio River) and, with some irony, in former states where slavery was legal or tolerated before the Civil War, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts of Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, though most of these cities and states are not truly Midwestern.

It's about 2/3rds of the way down the Wikipedia page under the section on "Culture."

[BurbankKarl]

[guinnessman]

Yeah, it's always embarrassing when you get beaten up by a pitcher.

As for your other point, trust me, as a long suffering Sox fan, it disturbs me to see so many, trendy, superficial people jumping on the bandwagon. (In our town, those people are called Cub fans.)

Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels that way.

John Kass column

[A Texan]

Agreed, that hit batsmen that loaded the bases in the 7th or 8th on Sunday was complete and utter BS. The umpiring has been poor the whole post season, in the AL and NL, but it happens and the players just need to play through it.

[kx9088]

Umpires suck.

[blaquebyrd]

"But we aren't bandwagon fans so we will stick by our teams and not just jump on board when the post season starts. Cough, Cough *Sox fans* cough *bears fans* cough *bull's fans* cough."

You might want to get something for the cough, or maybe it's the losers flu that I hear is going around down there in Texas. I don't think my team is unbeatable but I'll be damn if I'm going to ignore that they are two games away from winning the World Series. I'm a born and bred White Sox, Bears and Bulls fan from way before they won anything. I was stationed in the Azores when I saw my Bears win the Super Bowl in '85 and in Italy when the Bulls won there first championship. Now I'm retired back in the States and the Sox are two games away from a championship and I'm loving it. Oh and it wasn't the umps who gave up the walk-off homer in the top of the 9th. So please hold off with your excuses until after we sweep your team. Go Sox!!

[guinnessman]

Those two are father and son as well. Talk about a model of good parenting!

At least everyone will better playing at Enron Field. :)

[guinnessman]

oops!

At least everyone will feel better playing at Enron Field.

[Eagles Talon IV]

There play is good enough to have beaten the Astro's. You keep going on about the calls as if they don't even out in the end and as if this hasn't been going on as long as the game has been played.

Frankly I believe Lidge is history in this series and the Asto's cannot win without him. His confidence has been destroyed by the 2 game winning HR he gave up. Some players, no matter how well they perform in the reg season just can't take the pressure of the playoffs, while others feed on this pressure. David Wells, now with the Red Sox is one of those and may be the best "money" pitcher in the game.

[in hoc signo vinces]

My point is...do you think the ChiSox win without that I call? I think not...even with it...they (Sox) needed a walk off homerun off of, so called by you "done" closer, to win....sure the Sox won, but their play was sketchy.

They call it the World "Series" because they play more than two games...so, chief, we'll see who "wins" the next few games.

[A Texan]

Two games up is not insurmountable especial since your team now has to come to Houston for three, and now that week ass DH rule is out the door. As to your history being a Chicago Team fan and where you watch you the game congratulations, I saw the Bears win the SB at may dad's friends house, and saw the bulls win a couple at my parents place, I guess I am defacto Chicago fan too. I would be more impressed if you could remember where you were on some pointless game.

As for the hit by batsmen, it was 2 out with 2 on, the Astros were up by 2. Who knows what would have happen but the shoddy call costs us not you. So your right it wasn't the ump who gave up the HR he was just the guy that loaded the bases on a BS call paving the way for a HR. Also, don't forget the Astros came back and scored a couple more in the 9th.

[blaquebyrd]

"I would be more impressed if you could remember where you were on some pointless game.

Pick one, like I said I was a fan before we ever won anything. Matter-of-fact I was at Comiskey on "Disco Demolition" night. Talk a pointless game, the whole night was surreal. It was a twilight double header and the hippies got so rowdy that the second game had to be canceled after the fire was put out in center field. I've been to many a pointless game at old Comiskey Park when the most exciting part of the day was when Harry Caray sang at the 7th inning stretch. That's why this will be so sweet for all of us guys who used to ride the El to the park and pay $2 to sit in the cheap seats. Back then the teams were so lousy there were always plenty of good seats available to move down closer to the field.

[A Texan]

I am the same way with the 'Stros, although I was born in '75 so some of my first games are a little hazy. I went to the last game pitch by Nolan Ryan as an Astro, was at the last game ever in the Dome, Saw Mike Scott pitch a no-hitter in 1986, had season tickets (actually a group of us did) for the first year at then Enron Field (then moved to Dallas). The Astros are my team, just like the Oilers were (screw Bud Adams) and the Texans are, I am not so much of a Rockets fan anymore but that is because I despise what basketball has turned into.

Anyway, we will see how the Series turns out, but my guess is the Astros will sweep the Houston games, Oswalt and Backie are too good of a match-up against your 3 and 4 pitchers.

[nutmeg]

Although Patty Biggio was the only Astros wife who was slapped Sunday, she wasn't the only member of the traveling party who was harassed. Ausmus said his wife, Liz, endured some vulgar taunts and a few vulgar hand gestures throughout the night.

My husband and I have attended five Red Sox vs Yankees games over the past couple of years at Yankee Stadium. With the exception of the slapping, the above is typical of the treatment we've received by several - not all - Yankee fans there, every single time. Yes, we were wearing Red Sox jerseys and hats. NO, we weren't doing anything to provoke these angry/drunk/juvenile Yankee fans.

We've been heckled, shoved, screamed at, and been called every vulgar name in the book from the moment we arrived in the Yankee Stadium garage, until our trip home up the Major Deegan Expressway after the game (we've seen some interesting gestures from cars around us). I've never experienced anything like this before at a sporting event... it gets really old after awhile. It's always such a pleasure to "come home" to Friendly Fenway.

The odd thing is that the perps aren't just the usual drunk young hooligans that inhabit every sports stadium... most of them have been hard-drinking, heavy-set 40-50 year old men in NYY pinstriped jerseys, bearing a distinct resemblance to Joey Buttafuoco. I suspect they don't get out much, except for Yankee games. ;-)

On the flip side: Kudos to the employees and patrons of the nearby Yankees bars (ie, Stan's and the bowling alley bar next store). Although we were wearing Red Sox gear, we were treated well every time.

[Clemenza]

most of them have been hard-drinking, heavy-set 40-50 year old men in NYY pinstriped jerseys, bearing a distinct resemblance to Joey Buttafuoco.

Sounds alot like many of the dads of my schoolmates from my elemetary school on Long Island. What a bunch of scumbags. I wouldn't be surprised if many of them were off duty Nassau County cops.

[SE Mom]

Unbelievable.

These people must just hate baseball, period.

[nutmeg]

I wouldn't be surprised if many of them were off duty Nassau County cops.

I have no idea... didn't care to "get to know" any of these guys! ;-)

You know I love New York City, but I can't say I have much love for Yankee Stadium...

[Tall_Texan]

"When you're a man and you hit a lady, no matter whose wife it is or whose sister it is, you respect them. But it's something that's tough to control."

I think I need Yogi Berra to translate this.

[truthandlife]

Another reason to root for the Astros. A lot of good Christian guys on the team and in the organization.

Reasons to cheer for the Astros

http://www.bpsports.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=472

The God Squad With their own chaplain, the Houston Astros might be the most religious clubhouse in the majors

http://www.houston-press.com/issues/2004-09-16/news/news.html

The Major League Faith of Andy Pettitte

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/CWN/072905pettitte.asp

http://www.christiansportsminute.com/lance_berkman.htm

Lance Berkman testimony

http://www.therevealer.org/archives/timeless_002151.php

In "Three Strikes...You're Saved," Houston Astros star third baseman Morgan Ensberg is unabashed in saying, "The entire reason I play baseball is so that I get a chance to speak about Christ." Similarly, Jamey Carroll of the Washington Nationals tells CBN reporter Shawn Brown, "If I can be a light in this field that somebody in the stands can see Christ through me, that's truly the reason I go out and I play for Him." So much for the love of the game.

http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/700club_morganensberg062005.asp

Morgan Ensberg: Three Strikes... You're Saved By Andrew Knox The 700 Club

http://www.sportsspectrum.com/hotcorner/archives/050119.html

Birthday greetings go to ORLANDO PALMEIRO of the Houston Astros. He is one of several dedicated Christians on that NL Central team, including Morgan Ensberg, Lance Berkman, Adam Everett, and Andy Pettitte. Palmeiro is 36 years old today.

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/2412.article

Baseball players minister to teammates with ‘Passion’

http://www.ewitnessnews.com/news/article_1000231.php

Astros' Lance Berkman featured on Christian Sports Minute

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/192004g.asp

Shortstop Fields Life's Challenges with Abundant Faith Adam Everett, Houston Astros Shortstop

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=songs/astros

OF Lance Berkman Songs by Godsmack, P.O.D. and Newsboys Berkman loved his music, but suggested the music people throw in some hits from Christian rock band, The Newsboys.

http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20030313&content_id=219368&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp

Berkman favors family over baseball

http://www.baptiststandard.com/2001/6_4/pages/mclane.html TEAM PLAYER Businessman Drayton McLane Jr.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3132226

Astros have no hard feelings for Beltran

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/167/story_16732_1.html?rnd=38

Living a Pure Life A major league baseball player discovers God's plan for him comes before his career

http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=3567

Astros' owner insists players serve as role models

http://www.newmanmag.com/a.php?ArticleID=7818

Sanctified Slugger

http://www.businessreform.com/article.php?articleID=10714&ofid=64

Our Top Ten Favorite Christian Entrepreneurs

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20468

WINNING SPIRIT: Astros' Ensberg learns from Piper, MacArthur

http://www.sportsspectrum.com/hotcorner/ SPORTS SPECTRUM INSIDER Getting to the heart of what matters in life TODAY'S FEATURE: ADAM EVERETT

ADAM EVERETT, SHORTSTOP, HOUSTON ASTROS

BIO NOTE: Everett was a member of the 2000 gold medal-winning US Olympic baseball team.

RECENT STAT: Everett went 1-for-3 in the Astros’ pennant-clinching victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

FAITH QUOTE: (On temptations of the baseball life) “Basically I just give everything up to the Lord. The temptations are there, but if you don't put yourself in these situations, it's not going to be a problem. When I'm on the road, I like to stay in my room and order room service. Or go out with some of the Christian guys. But I never go out to go out. I don't enjoy it. I love my wife, and I take my marriage very personally and to heart. Whenever you commit to those vows, they're for life.” —Sports Spectrum magazine