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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 4:20 PM, 06/27/2009

Won't be much of a deal. Most judges don't like instigators much. I doubt the dude gets much of anything.

— JonKap

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:23 PM, 06/27/2009

hey greenbuff I agree with you, that duo jost want to make some money and he took Romero for the ride, and the police is going to be on the other guy side, so that ho it is and Romero goint to pay,becaues the police going to leve it at that.

— colon1951

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:25 PM, 06/27/2009

— colon1951

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:31 PM, 06/27/2009

How old was this guy? That is the real question. If he is under 18, then JC had no reason to touch him. If he is over 18, he needs to stop asking for autographs. I asked for autographs until I was about 13. Losers like Robert Eaton hang on to their adoration for players and ask for autographs well into their thirties. THAT is a real loser. Get a job Robert Eaton and get out of your momma's basement. This was probably the blogger who accussed Raul of roids too.

— Buddude

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:47 PM, 06/27/2009

Unfortunately, when something like J.C.'s suspension for steroids happens people are bound to say something to him, negatviely about it. This won't be the last time it comes up, imagine where some of the bullpens are, fans may yell stuff about supplements the whole time he's down there. He's going to have to learn to block it out or find himself in a lot of trouble. Do you think A-Rod hasn't heard anything?

— kmon

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:51 PM, 06/27/2009

the rays have a fan? SHOCKING.

— WagnerSucks

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:52 PM, 06/27/2009

Another case of roid rage?

— WagnerSucks

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:58 PM, 06/27/2009

Robert Eaton? I bet he's related to Adam.

— old baseball guy

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:03 PM, 06/27/2009

He must be related to Adam Eaton ... trying to get money for nothing.

— cmp1968

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:06 PM, 06/27/2009

I'm pretty sure the guy wasn't realted to Adam Eaton- if was, he would've left his chin and face right over the middle of Romero's punch path so Romero could hit it 500 feet.

— KMG

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:15 PM, 06/27/2009

Unfortunately, he punched the wrong Eaton! Now if the South Paw punched Adam Eaton, that would have been worth it!

— PhillyPhan35

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:27 PM, 06/27/2009

Whey would anyone say anything to JC. The guy is a bit...errr...emotional. First K-Rod now JC. The word is out America, talk smack to Latin relievers at your own risk!

— bobcitydoc

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:49 PM, 06/27/2009

As an avid card collector and a guy who staked out hotels all day and night in my very younger years, I like BUDDUDE's comment more than most. This is a 25 year old guy who most likely had too many alcoholic beverages and is just there to cause problems. Unfortunately Romero will be the bad guy here but there are more than just a few guys like this who just want to cause trouble after some libations. My personal feeling is that I wish he would have gotten pulverized because the guy was being disrespectful and rude - the reality is that no one in the media who has a sounding board will ever say the same.

— IGGLES1980

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:09 PM, 06/27/2009

I completely am on Romero's side for this one. Sorry, but as a Phillies fan I'm not siding with anyone named EATON. Be sure to check out my full take on the situation, as well as others at http://payoffpitch.mlblogs.com/ You'll have hours upon hours of fun.

— pfranklin