Phillies fan says he protected son
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Phillies fan says he protected son
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Jayson Werth was the hot topic in the Phillies' clubhouse Friday night for two reasons: his behavior after he yelled at a fan who prevented him from catching a foul ball in the 12th inning of Thursday night's game against Cincinnati and the persistent trade rumors about him being shipped elsewhere.
"There has been some backlash," Werth said when asked about the fan incident.
After making a sensational catch against the wall for the second out of the 12th inning, Werth tracked down a foul ball off the bat of the Reds' Drew Stubbs and appeared ready to catch it, but a fan reached up and got it before him. The fan did not lean over the railing for the foul ball. He stepped in front of his son to make the catch.
The fan, identified only by his first name Pat, said during an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic that he was simply trying to protect his 10-year-old son from being hit by the baseball.
"If I don't catch it, it's hitting him in the head," Pat said. "I wasn't even thinking about Werth."
According to Pat, Werth told him to "get out of my (bleeping) way."
"He shouldn't have said that in front of my son," Pat said. "He's a huge Phillies fan and Werth is one of the ones he really likes. He has been pretty quiet about it. I talked to him about it, but he isn't saying too much."
Werth said he felt "bad" about the incident, but he stopped short of apologizing.
"Honestly, in the heat of the moment and the situation that goes on on the field, I'm definitely in a different mindset than I would be in a normal setting," Werth said. "I don't think I would have yelled at anyboyd like that if that wasn't the case. We had the game on the line. If a guy comes up and hits a home run on the next pitch, I think it's a pretty big deal.
"Obviously I feel bad for the guy and the kid and the people that were sitting around there. It was definitely out of character a little bit. I don’t feel bad about playing hard and going after balls in the stands and stuff like that. It’s just one of those deals – it is part of the game."
Werth said he had not spoken to the fan. He was asked when he realized that it was a big issue.
"It’s part of the game," he said. "If something like that happens I’ll find out about it and I’ll deal with it then. Right now my focus is playing baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies ... and winning ballgames."
In other news, second baseman Wilson Valdez was scratched from the starting lineup with a sore left wrist. Juan Castro started at second base instead.
Comment removed.
it didn't look like the fan was covering his son's head. looked like he was trying to get the ball and never thought about werth hence never looking in his direction.— liberty_bell- Comment removed.
- Hey Pat, you're not on the team. Get out of the way. Sincerely, Steve Bartman.— joe$
- I watched it and the guy wasn't trying to protect h is kid, He was trying to catch a souvenir. He made no attempt to get in front of the kid. I dreaded the next pitch since, with new life, the batter might just put it over the wall. Just another guy who got a good seat, hoping to get a ball. Like those fools along the fence that don't know that a ball is still in play and reach over and grab it. I remember one play like that that cost the Phils a game a year or so ago. The tying run had to go back to third because fan interference got ruled a ground-rule double. I'm all for putting wires on the fence and if some fool reaches over on a ball in play, send a few volts to push them back. If you're going to interfere with a play, make sure it's to the Phillies' advantage.— mike l
- The fan was only standing up in his seat. Didn't lean towards the field. The ball was coming right to him. I don't buy the protecting my son line but if he didn't catch it and neither did Werth than the ball would have hit someone. Werth was out of line. Man up about it, do something to make the kid feel better about the situation THEN move on.— jbob123451
- Tell Werth to start hitting in the clutch so we don't have to go extras— phillychef817
- Hey Jason - if the next pitch had been hit for a homer would you have cussed out Nelson Figueroa? He didn't lean into the field of play and he has every right to protect his son....I can understand getting caught up in the moment but you owe that father and son an apology - anything less and I and many Philly fans will lose respect for you.— jimyd0315
- Another non-news story from Philly.com. But I guess it beats 24/7 LeBron coverage or another Amaro crucifixion for trading Cliff Lee 8 months ago.— Phightin Phil
- All of these Phillies are becoming HEAD CASE'S.— bigphillydad
- I was a big fan, Werth's reaction and response is unacceptable. Don't forget, the fans pay your salary and the guy did nothing wrong, except to get caught up in the moment. For that, you made him look like an a** in front of his kid. If he reached over the fence, than you have a beef. Maybe someone should yell at you every time you swing at a 55 foot slider, but that person would lose his voice after 2 or 3 games. Maybe one day, when you have a kid, you'll understand, that's if you grow up.— nate
- Watch the tape. The fan was going for the ball.— PhillyFan_in_NoVA
- SCUMBAG!— Snoddy
who cares if he was going for the ball. HE WAS WATCHING the ball and didn't even see Werth. If any of you are fathers and you are defending this baby athlete, you are pathetic. If my kid was sitting there and I KNEW how happy he would be to have a foul ball, I would grab it in a PLAYOFF GAME. My kid(s) happiness is FAR more important than a GAME.- Comment removed.
