Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, October 31, 2024
It should all be so perfect.
Two of baseball’s most storied franchises were locked in the World Series that was sure to generate record viewership numbers and record sales figures. Some would say it lived up to the hype, too, as we saw a back-and-forth battle between the old foes that culminated in the creation of postseason heroes like Freddie Freeman.
Unfortunately, not even this electric event can be fully enjoyed on its own because of the foolishness of some fans. As I’m sure everyone reading this is aware, during Game 4 of the Series, Mookie Betts attempted to make a catch in the stands in right field and was obstructed by two “fans.”
Things like this have happened before, and it’s usually a genuine accident caused by folks getting caught up in the moment. It’s harmless.
Not so here. This was a premeditated attempt to swing the game in their team’s favor, and that is unacceptable. Unfortunately, it seems that opinion is not shared by all.
In times past, there were instances of fans being ostracized and demonized for what were realistically moments of pure bad luck, with no ill intent behind them. Everyone remembers Steve Bartman and the life-altering catch he (almost) made in Chicago. His situation, and the entirely unfair treatment he received for it, was eventually rectified much later on, but the fact remains that his life was irreparably altered simply because he became involved in a play he shouldn’t have.
Yet now, more than 20 years later, we have folks that are actively attempting to alter the outcome of a World Series championship game, and they’re getting… glowing media recognition?
When did it become okay to involve oneself in a game? Of course I’m not advocating for them to be excommunicated or anything, but the immediate turnaround to getting fluff pieces from ESPN and being invited onto podcasts is jarring, to say the least.
I think this is something that’s been on the rise, though. We Rockies fans will remember when noted ball hawk and rage-bait YouTuber Zack Hample came to town and caused a minor altercation with Coors Field security to become news.
Not to sound all Boomer-y, but this kind of self-absorbed mentality is a fairly common theme on social media these days. It’s a shame that even ballparks aren’t safe from those who prioritize clicks and views over the game itself.
MLB was right to issue the fans a ban from the ensuing game five — especially in light of the tickets being given to a pediatric cancer patient — but the precedent set by the ensuing media coverage is worrying.
There are rules posted among the walls of every ballpark in the country: Interfering with balls in play, or with the game at all, is a violation. And yet some platforms are celebrating those who intentionally break this rule.
Is this the precedent we want to set? That it’s okay for people to involve themselves in the game, as long as they’re personable?
I recognize that my gripe here is more with the coverage of the incident rather than the actions of MLB or the Yankees organization. I will say, though, that I wouldn’t be against a multi-year ban for those fans from all MLB stadiums.
Is that too harsh? I’m sure some would say so, especially since both fans were banned from attending Game 5, and as season ticket holders for the Yankees I’m sure they and others feel entitled to certain VIP treatments. I don’t know, though. Maybe I’m a curmudgeonly coot, but I think we need to reset expectations around what is and is not acceptable at games. An accidental ball-grab is bad, but intentional sabotage is something else entirely.
After all, we don’t want baseball to encounter the same issues that are plaguing college football right now. They’ve set the precedent that throwing trash on the field can cause referee decisions to be changed, and now they’re dealing with the consequences of setting that precedent. If MLB doesn’t crack down on incidents like this, especially on their grandest stage, they’re potentially setting themselves up for issues down the line.
We’re lucky that, as Colorado fans, we typically don’t have to deal with such uncouth behavior at Coors Field. We’re not immune, though. Earlier this year we saw a Rockies walk-off win erased by a fan reaching over the railing to snag Jacob Stallings’ home run ball. It’s moments like these that frustrate me deeply, even if the Rockies ended up winning the game.
If you attend games regularly, you probably know this already, but I’ll say it anyway: Do not be that fan. Please, stay in your seat and understand the situation happening around you. Enjoy the game, have a blast, make memories — but don’t become a trending topic on Twitter.
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FAQ: What to know about Rockies’ offseason | MLB.com
I’m a big Thomas Harding guy, and you should be too. Here he breaks down Colorado’s offseason plans and potential moves.
Oh, and I guess the Dodgers won the World Series, too.
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