Lowe's celebration offends A's players (Get a life alert!)

ESPN ^ | 10.7.03

[mhking]

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Some of the Oakland Athletics were furious with Derek Lowe, accusing the Red Sox pitcher of making obscene gestures toward them after he struck out Terrence Long to finish Boston's 4-3 victory in the AL division series Monday night.

"It's a situation where if you did anything where you offended anyone, I'm sorry," Lowe said. "I was swinging my arms around. I don't know what I did. I did the same crazy thing I do every game."

The A's thought Lowe simulated a sexual act with his arms and made a gesture toward his crotch following the final out, sending Oakland shortstop Miguel Tejada into a rage in the clubhouse moments later.

"Derek Lowe is going to be paid back for that sign," Tejada screamed hysterically through the clubhouse, shouting expletives. "My kid is in the stands. He's going to pay."

Oakland general manager Billy Beane escorted the crying Tejada away.

Tejada was later told that Lowe apologized.

"I feel better now that I hear he apologizes," Tejada said after calming down. "He was jumping around and making a scene. They have families up there, we have families up there."

Tejada is one of the most emotional players on the A's, and this was probably his final game with them because he can become a free agent.

"He takes everything personally, wins and losses, and plays with his heart on his sleeve," first baseman Scott Hatteberg said of Tejada. "He plays with everything he's got."

Other A's players were offended.

"That's extremely unprofessional," center fielder Chris Singleton said. "That's a shame that's the type of person he is. He was the only one who showed less than professionalism."

Hatteberg spent seven seasons with the Red Sox and 11 in their organization. He and Lowe were teammates.

"To have that done is absolutely classless and unprofessional," Hatteberg said. "I'm disappointed having known him. I don't think it was aimed at (Tejada), it was aimed at us. I know we show emotion, but I can't think of anything we've done to show them up."

[Semper Paratus]

Don't forget about Hudson bar hopping past 1:00Pm in boston, getting into a scuffle and being taken out after 1 inning the next day.

[Not A Snowbird]

I agree completely. I watched Derek Lowe several times, a couple in slow motion, and didn't see him do anything wrong. Rivera, on the other hand, was class-less with his Bonds-esque admiration at home plate of the home run he hit.

In related news, the A's fans were pathetic getting on Jackson while his teammate was still down in centerfield after that collision. What was that about?

[Coop]

Both announcers took him to task (There's no place for that in the game!), but then I think both later on tried to blame it on the emotion of the moment. I don't care what caused it - it was pure "punk."

And I was rooting for the Sox, but that display left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Not A Snowbird]

Great head lock! My husband and I were cheering when we saw that.

[bedolido]

I watched that game and monday night football. both were great games. That idiot in the stands almost caused a riot. I'm glad they kicked him out. That collision was hard to watch.

[The KG9 Kid]

The Red Sox will fall to 'The Curse of the Bambino', and in 2008 Yankees fans will be celebrating the Centennial anniversary of Red Sox humiliation.

[HEY4QDEMS]

but this is the Bay area after all LMAO

[Coop]

In related news, the A's fans were pathetic getting on Jackson while his teammate was still down in centerfield after that collision. What was that about?

Granted, it's tough to tell via TV. But it looked to be only one or two classless schmoes saying I-don't-know-what, though it obviously upset a few Red Sox players. But it did appear that several other fans seemed to be trying to quiet down the bums.

There's always a few, but most folks don't like to see players get seriously hurt. And that collision sure looked scary. Ouch!

[Coop]

The Red Sox will fall to 'The Curse of the Bambino', and in 2008 Yankees fans will be celebrating the Centennial anniversary of Red Sox humiliation.

Or the Yankees will lose. It's really that simple. The difference is if the Sox lose, there will be a bunch of disappointed fans. If the Yanks lose, there will be a bunch of humiliated loudmouths.

[Dr. Frank fan]

Don't forget about Hudson bar hopping past 1:00Pm in boston, getting into a scuffle and being taken out after 1 inning the next day.

I only read about that this morning and will reserve judgment.

It strikes me as likely that any "scuffle" Hudson "got into" in a bar in Boston was instigated by some drunk Bostonian guy who was in that bar in Boston. (This is not a slur against Red Sox fans or anything, just that there are always bad apples like I said.)

That said, certainly one would think Hudson shouldn't have been out at all.

[Not A Snowbird]

Thank goodness Damon saw what was coming and turned his head, or he would have gotten cracked right between the eyes. I can't believe Jackson stayed in the game... talk about a hard head!

[green iguana]

Okay, he was showboating because it was perceived that way. I'm sure that wasn't his intent though.

[newgeezer]

the crying Tejada

Striking resemblance, no?

[jnarcus]

It must be all that money these guys pull down...Over the weekend my kid took a ball to the face ( yeah I should have put the cage on the helmet for fall ball) and went down as hard as the Boston player did....result....kid comes up laughing ( and ugly in the face) and plays the rest of that game and two more too boot....The big leagues ain't

[The KG9 Kid]

If the Red Sox can't get past the Yankees in 95 years, what makes anyone think that they can do it in 100?

[#3Fan]

I did not know the police can arrest you for taunting players. I don't agree with the fans actions but for the Police to handle someone like that for taunting is aggressive. If it was a fan I could understand. :)

I've never been one to believe that being a sports fan is an excuse for bad behaviour. This guy was sitting right next to the Red Sox bench. I think that in a situation where there's a possibility of paralysis, these fans right next to the players need to watch their Ps and Qs. The fan deserved an ass-whoopin.

[Semper Paratus]

Was intestigated by a local clymer. But what the hell was Hudson doing the night before the most important game of his career?

[Hatteras]

Hmmmm.... I'm thinking of a word....

[Dr. Frank fan]

But what the hell was Hudson doing the night before the most important game of his career?

Yup.... these guys need to grow up.

[Coop]

If the Red Sox can't get past the Yankees in 95 years, what makes anyone think that they can do it in 100?

How many state governors have been recalled in the past 100 years?