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Fan alleges Romero assaulted him after steroid comment

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74 comments

Fan alleges Romero assaulted him after steroid comment

POSTED: Saturday, June 27, 2009, 2:17 PM

David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer

The Phillies have acknowledged they are aware of an incident with a fan involving lefthander J.C. Romero after their loss to the Rays Thursday night, but say are they are still in the process of gathering information. Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old resident of New Port Richey, Fla., filed a police report alleging that Romero assaulted him soon after the game, the St. Petersburg Times reported earlier today.

Eaton told the Times that Romero responded angrily to a comment Eaton made about steroids. He alleges that Romero "grabbed him by the neck" and "pushed him" after Eaton asked the reliever, who was suspended 50 games earlier this season for a positive drug test, "for some juice."

Romero initially declined to address the situation. When asked by a reporter if he wanted to hear Eaton's claims, Romero responded:

"What'd he say? That he was drunk and got into a fight?. . .I'm not going to comment about it. I'm trying to be professional and I don't really want to get into that. Don't make a story out of nothing."

Asked when he found out about the fan's complaint, Romero answered: "I don't know what's going on. I'm just finding out through you guys."

Romero did not appear in the Phillies' 10-0 win over the Blue Jays, which featured a complete game from lefthander J.A. Happ.

"We're disappointed to learn about the alleged incident with a Rays fan and one of our players following Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field," the Phillies said in a statement. "We are in the process of gathering all of the details surrounding the situation. Until such information is provided, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time."

In January, Romero was suspended for 50 games for a positive drug test, which he maintains came as the result of use of an over-the-counter supplement. A lawsuit against supplement manufacturer ErgoPharm and two retail stores is pending.

A police dispatcher confirmed to the Times that a report was filed from Tropicana Field around 11 p.m. Thursday night. Romero did not appear in the game.

On Friday night, the Rays released this statement to the Times:

"We are aware of an alleged incident between a Phillies player and a fan. At this point it is a police matter and for that reason we won't have any further comment."

Eaton told the times that he was attempting to get autographs after the game. After Romero ignored his request, Eaton shouted a remark about steroids.

Eaton alleges that Romero told him to "shut the f--- up," the Times reported.

"He reared back and kinda grazed my chin and grabbed me by the neck and threw me back," Eaton said, according to the Times. "I was in shock."

Messages left for Eaton by the Daily News were not immediately returned.

74 comments

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Comments (74)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:11 PM, 06/27/2009

This isn't a popular or politically correct opinion, but good for Romero. I can't stand people who think they can just say whatever they want to a pro athlete because they assume there's some kind of wall between they and them. If you want to run your mouth, then man up.

— bobbyd24

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:27 PM, 06/27/2009

I was seated directly behind the Phillies bullpen that night. The fans were drunk as hell and continued shouted obscenities throughout. One fat slob repeatedly tried to get into it with Phillies fans until security had enough of him and tossed him. Look, everyone knows how it is at games but security down there is a joke and they literally have fans getting hammered seated less than a foot away from the opposing team. Is it really a surprise that Romero would tell the guy to stfu after three hours of listening to that sort of nonsense? Not from where I sit, it isn't. And LOL at the punk filing a complaint with the cops too. Maybe next time he'll think twice before shooting his mouth off? Nah - probably not. Tampa fans aren't too bright.

— Romes

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:46 PM, 06/27/2009

If FL authorities had any balls, they'd laugh the complaint off. If youre gonna instigate and talk sh**, then you deserve whatever comes of it.

— JFranklin

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:55 PM, 06/27/2009

Man, for once I could not disagree more with the replies of this article. David Murphy should have substituted the "assault" word for "Roid rage," JC is a loser. As for the idea athletes have to put up with fans and should be able to retaliate, thats nuts. JC gets paid BIG bucks to ignore this idiot, get on the bus, and forget about it. He only is hurting the team and its a shame because they need him right now.

— Philliesin2008

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:05 PM, 06/27/2009

He gets paid to play professional baseball not to be subjected to verbal abuse from drunken louts. As I said, I was there and heard firsthand the abuse they were taking. Add in the close proximity they allow to the opposing team and incidents like this are going to happen.

— Romes

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:37 PM, 06/27/2009

Romes- Tampa Bay Rays have played 37 home games so far this season with major rivals like the Yankees and RedSox coming to town. You honestly believe those guys did not have to put up with badgering from the home crowd? They all managed to walk away without raging on a fan. And I am sure you have been to Citizen's Bank Park and have heard what is shouted to the visiting team, its crazy. None of those player have ever responded with a physical altercation. You can stick up for him as much as you want, but I will say it again. JC is a loser, should have never did what he did, and its wrong.

— Philliesin2008

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:56 PM, 06/27/2009

Philly fan behavior in other stadiums. Yet, somehow it's unacceptable when it occurs to a Phillie, who obviously can't handle the criticism. Romero should no better. The player's union spend a lot of time and money telling these guys to stay under control at all times. This is un-excusable. No excuses.

— St.Patrick33

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:01 PM, 06/27/2009

sissy Florida guy gets what he asks for - big deal

— chollie

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:31 PM, 06/27/2009

The Phillies' lawyers should make every player take anger management courses. To fools like this Eaton fellow, pro ballplayers are millionaires, and thereby targets for frivolous lawsuits. Why do you think boxers have surrounded themselves with thug body guards for the last 100 years? Indeed everybody who has a decent job during this recession/depression should be on the lookout for trashy people trying to pick fights in order to go to court or to settle outside court. Walking away from potential trouble is not just classy, it is also a way to save your family a lot of agony.

— Delaware Jim

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:31 PM, 06/27/2009

— Delaware Jim

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:33 PM, 06/27/2009

J.C. Romero is a loser? Yeah, a loser with a World Series ring.

— Romes

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:49 PM, 06/27/2009

I watched those games in Florida. All I saw in the stands was Phillies fans and the vendors. Are you sure it was a Rays fans? I hear they don't come out until the playoffs. Maybe he was an angry Mets fan in disguise looking to mess up the Phils. Hard to believe anyone living on Florida would care about anything except fishing and smokin' a bowl . . .

— Justicek