Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Fans Attack Umpires in Chicago at Royals Game
ESPN ^ | April 15, 2003 | Associated Press

Posted on 04/15/2003 8:41:30 PM PDT by Mister Magoo

Incident was night's fourth involving fans on field

Associated Press

CHICAGO -- A fan came out of the stands during Tuesday night's game between the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox and attacked first base umpire Laz Diaz. Security and players came to Diaz's aid and the fan was quickly taken away.

Immediately after Carlos Lee flied out to right to end the eighth inning, the fan ran on the field and tried to tackle Diaz, wrapping his arms around the umpire's legs.

It was the first appearance by the Royals in Chicago since coach Tom Gamboa was pummeled by a father and son, who came out of the stands last September.

Three times earlier Tuesday night, the game was delayed when fans ran onto the field before being tackled by security guards.

U.S. Cellular Field, formerly Comiskey Park, will host the All-Star Game on July 15.

Gamboa tried to downplay his return to the field when interviewed before the game.

"I haven't given it a thought really," he said. "Lightning doesn't strike twice."

Gamboa, 55, is now Kansas City's bullpen coach. He has tried to put the attack behind him, but one physical problem lingers from the beating.

"I have a minor hearing loss in my right ear. I was tested three times and assured it would be nothing degenerative," Gamboa said.

The boy, 15 at the time, was sentenced to five years of probation and also ordered to undergo mandatory counseling and perform 30 hours of community service.

Gamboa appeared at a sentencing hearing and suggested the boy receive probation and community service because he had already been held for a month in juvenile detention after the attack. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed with that suggestion.

The boy was arrested along with his father, William Ligue Jr., who initially pleaded innocent to charges of aggravated battery and mob action. The case is still pending.

"The most disturbing thing I've seen in baseball recently," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said Tuesday.

Gamboa, a former coach with the Chicago Cubs, reiterated that sports fans in the city shouldn't be judged by what happened to him.

"It's a great sports city and no one incident or what two guys did would tarnish that," Gamboa said.

"It's over and done with as far as I'm concerned."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: baseball; chicago; ruready4somefootball; umpire
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

1 posted on 04/15/2003 8:41:30 PM PDT by Mister Magoo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mister Magoo
"Lightning doesn't strike twice."

Strike One!

2 posted on 04/15/2003 8:44:15 PM PDT by battlegearboat (New Rules)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
The king and queen of the free ride

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD-
It is in the breaking news sidebar!



3 posted on 04/15/2003 8:45:20 PM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: Mister Magoo
Was the guy wearing a turban?
5 posted on 04/15/2003 8:46:45 PM PDT by F16Fighter (Democrats -- The Party of Stalin and Chiraq)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mister Magoo
From ESPN:

Incident was night's fourth involving fans on field

CHICAGO -- A fan came out of the stands during Tuesday night's game between the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox and attacked first base umpire Laz Diaz. Security and players came to Diaz's aid and the fan was quickly taken away.

Immediately after Carlos Lee flied out to right to end the eighth inning, the fan ran on the field and tried to tackle Diaz, wrapping his arms around the umpire's legs.

It was the first appearance by the Royals in Chicago since coach Tom Gamboa was pummeled by a father and son, who came out of the stands last September.

Three times earlier Tuesday night, the game was delayed when fans ran onto the field before being tackled by security guards.

U.S. Cellular Field, formerly Comiskey Park, will host the All-Star Game on July 15.

Gamboa tried to downplay his return to the field when interviewed before the game. "I haven't given it a thought really," he said. "Lightning doesn't strike twice."

Gamboa, 55, is now Kansas City's bullpen coach. He has tried to put the attack behind him, but one physical problem lingers from the beating.

"I have a minor hearing loss in my right ear. I was tested three times and assured it would be nothing degenerative," Gamboa said.

The boy, 15 at the time, was sentenced to five years of probation and also ordered to undergo mandatory counseling and perform 30 hours of community service.

Gamboa appeared at a sentencing hearing and suggested the boy receive probation and community service because he had already been held for a month in juvenile detention after the attack. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed with that suggestion.

The boy was arrested along with his father, William Ligue Jr., who initially pleaded innocent to charges of aggravated battery and mob action. The case is still pending.

"The most disturbing thing I've seen in baseball recently," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said Tuesday.

Gamboa, a former coach with the Chicago Cubs, reiterated that sports fans in the city shouldn't be judged by what happened to him.

"It's a great sports city and no one incident or what two guys did would tarnish that," Gamboa said.

"It's over and done with as far as I'm concerned."

6 posted on 04/15/2003 8:47:35 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mister Magoo
Was Bill Clinton in Chicago again??
7 posted on 04/15/2003 8:49:16 PM PDT by <1/1,000,000th% (Is Algore really preparing for a recount of the war in Iraq?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mister Magoo
Don't judge Chicago by the South Siders. Most of us can be taken out in public.
8 posted on 04/15/2003 8:49:46 PM PDT by Fifth Business
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fifth Business

Lemme guess...another crack addicted, lock-up familiar Chicago knucklehead. Is this becoming a tradition in Chicago?

9 posted on 04/15/2003 8:55:09 PM PDT by Shermy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
It was the FOURTH time that night?!? Sounds like they should have called a forfeit because of security. I just hope it wasn't bat night.
10 posted on 04/15/2003 8:55:45 PM PDT by patriot5186
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Mister Magoo
What's up with Chicago? Did they put something in the water?

In all seriousness, it's weird that it happened 4 times in the same night, but that doesn't make Chicago a bad city. And, there is a full moon tonight. Hmmm....

11 posted on 04/15/2003 8:56:35 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Yeah, right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Shermy
Maybe they'll give him one "high and inside."
12 posted on 04/15/2003 8:57:45 PM PDT by Fifth Business
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: patriot5186
Pretty wild, eh?
13 posted on 04/15/2003 8:58:00 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Yeah, right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
What happened? Did these guys think they were at a British Soccer Match?
14 posted on 04/15/2003 8:58:41 PM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
...but that doesn't make Chicago a bad city.

Correct. It just makes the South Side bad.

15 posted on 04/15/2003 8:59:22 PM PDT by Fifth Business
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Shermy
News coverage like this eggs them on.
16 posted on 04/15/2003 9:00:19 PM PDT by Fred Mertz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Fifth Business
The guy last year got a slap on the wrist. But it's like dealing with Arab belligerents - if you don't show force, there's no deterrence. Put this guy in jail for three years, it'll stop.
17 posted on 04/15/2003 9:00:25 PM PDT by Shermy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Fifth Business
Maybe it's the full moon tonight, or maybe it was 50-cent beer night at the local bars.
18 posted on 04/15/2003 9:01:18 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Yeah, right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Fifth Business
This never seems to happen at Wrigley Field. Maybe it's just the American League people.
19 posted on 04/15/2003 9:02:32 PM PDT by Desdemona
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Maybe it's the full moon tonight, or maybe it was 50-cent beer night at the local bars.

It's because they play in a pink stadium. Compensation thing.

20 posted on 04/15/2003 9:03:24 PM PDT by Fifth Business
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson