Robservations: Fans hitting the field is just dumb
What in the world have the Kansas City Royals done that makes fans go insane whenever they visit Chicago?
Last year, in a highly-publicized incident, a crazed father-son duo attacked Royals coach Tom Gamboa during their game against the White Sox.
Tuesday night the Royals returned to the Windy City, and so did the violence.
This time, it was umpire Laz Diaz who was the brunt of the assault, which allegedly came at the hands of 24-year-old drunken “fan” Eric Dybas.
All in all, four fans ran out onto the field during Tuesday’s game, prompting Royals GM Allard Baird to briefly consider canceling Wednesday’s contest with the White Sox.
Now, major league baseball officials are meeting with teams around the league, going over their security measures and seeing what, if any, additional steps can be taken to assure the safety of players, coaches and umpires.
Unfortunately, however, it’s hard to be prepared for stupidity — which is exactly the condition suffered by anyone who would ever consider leaping onto the field in anger.
And stupid is the perfect way to describe these people. Because no amount of alcohol in the world should convince any halfway intelligent person they can win in these situations.
First of all, did you see the umpire this guy attacked? He’s huge! If you’re going to go after an ump, pick the old fat guy, moron!
Secondly, you know the players are going to jump you. That’s at least 25 guys (assuming only one team leaps in), all of whom have on metal cleats and have access to big, heavy bats.
• It was the end of an era.
Then, a couple of years later, it was the end of an era — again.
Wednesday night, the era ended for good. Or did it?
Michael Jordan was celebrated by both teammates and foes during his final game, during which his Washington Wizards wrapped up their season with a 107-87 road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
As the all-time greatest player in the game’s history left the floor in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, everyone in the arena was on their feet, including the players on the Sixers’ bench.
And after the game, it was time for M.J. to reflect on life outside the NBA spotlight for the third time.
“Now I guess it hits me that I’m not going to be in a uniform anymore — and that’s not a terrible feeling,” he said. “It’s something that I’ve come to grips with, and it’s time. This is the final retirement.”
Of course, it’s probably pretty easy to come to grips with something when you’ve already been through it twice. I wonder how many times he’ll retire from coaching?
• Finally, courtesy of a recent conversation with Mark and Pud, some more of those annoying duffer’s habits that you can give up this year to make life on the golf course that much more enjoyable for yourself and those playing behind you.
Lost balls: Nothing’s worse than looking down the fairway, and asking “where did those people in front of us go?”
Actually, one thing is worse: The realization that the group in front of you isn’t moving on, because they’re all in the woods, where they’ll spend 10 minutes looking for Billy Bubba’s noodle he shanked off the tee.
If you think you hit it out of bounds or into the trees (or the water, for that matter), hit a provisional. That way, when you can’t find your original shot, hopefully your second ball will be there ready to play.
Fast play, people. It’s the best thing to hit the links since Tiger’s girlfriend. Get into it.