GaryMrMets
05-28-2004, 04:13 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/8780977.htm
Posted on Fri, May. 28, 2004
Padres probing Nevin's exchange with heckler in Philadelphia
The San Diego Padres are investigating an incident that occurred Sunday at Citizens Bank Park after a fan complained that first baseman Phil Nevin reacted to heckling by unleashing a string of vulgarities.
In a letter to the Padres - copies also were sent to Major League Baseball, the Daily News and the San Diego Union-Tribune - Philadelphia stock options trader Daniel D. Ribecchi conceded that he was among a group of fans heckling Nevin after he struck out looking against Phillies reliever Tim Worrell in the ninth inning.
Ribecchi indicated that he was particularly upset because the remarks were overheard by children, including his 8-year-old daughter.
According to Ribecchi's letter, he hollered, "Hey, you need to swing the bat, buddy, this isn't little league," and that the player responded, "Why don't you go [bleep] yourself?"
Nevin, however, told the Union-Tribune that somebody had yelled obscenities at him.
"I know there was definitely one guy who was yelling profanity at me. And I probably said some things back to him," he said. "I was a little unprofessional. It's not something that's that uncommon. It happens out there. If, in fact, there were kids around, I apologize for that. It was obviously not directed toward them or anybody like that.
"I'm a little misunderstood here. The guy I had words with was not there with a kid. So, if in fact there was a guy there with a kid that thought I was yelling at him, I apologize to that guy. But there was definitely a person standing back there, leaning over our dugout, yelling profanities at me. And I said something back to him. It was not directed at anybody who had a little girl next to them. I've got kids of my own. I understand what this guy would be saying."
Padres general manager Kevin Towers said after he was made aware of the complaint by Bob Watson, the vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball, he spoke to Nevin's agent, Barry Axelrod, and Padres president Dick Freeman.
"We need to find out if this is true," Freeman told the Union-Tribune. "My take now is that I am very concerned. If it happened this way, it is an embarrassment to our franchise and we will deal with it."
Said Towers: "I told [Axelrod] that we are unhappy about what we have heard. We don't want Phil to embarrass himself, the organization or the game. Phil has a track record. He needs to handle these situations - adverse at-bats - better."
Late in the 2002 season, Nevin made a gesture and had a verbal exchange with fans behind the Padres' dugout at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. He also has had other encounters with fans.
"It sounds like there was a confrontation in Philadelphia," Towers said. "If there was, we need to take the next step. Maybe we need to discuss this. If it takes getting him professional help...anger management...we might have to go there. He may need help.
"Getting heckled happens to players. It happens to Brian Giles and Mark Loretta. It's part of the game. They don't go off. You have to handle this better."
Said manager Bruce Bochy: "You're in a no-win situation when you get in a verbal spat with the fans. For 3 days in Philly, you know you're going to get it. You can't do anything but take it. You've got to be professional and go about your business."
Posted on Fri, May. 28, 2004
Padres probing Nevin's exchange with heckler in Philadelphia
The San Diego Padres are investigating an incident that occurred Sunday at Citizens Bank Park after a fan complained that first baseman Phil Nevin reacted to heckling by unleashing a string of vulgarities.
In a letter to the Padres - copies also were sent to Major League Baseball, the Daily News and the San Diego Union-Tribune - Philadelphia stock options trader Daniel D. Ribecchi conceded that he was among a group of fans heckling Nevin after he struck out looking against Phillies reliever Tim Worrell in the ninth inning.
Ribecchi indicated that he was particularly upset because the remarks were overheard by children, including his 8-year-old daughter.
According to Ribecchi's letter, he hollered, "Hey, you need to swing the bat, buddy, this isn't little league," and that the player responded, "Why don't you go [bleep] yourself?"
Nevin, however, told the Union-Tribune that somebody had yelled obscenities at him.
"I know there was definitely one guy who was yelling profanity at me. And I probably said some things back to him," he said. "I was a little unprofessional. It's not something that's that uncommon. It happens out there. If, in fact, there were kids around, I apologize for that. It was obviously not directed toward them or anybody like that.
"I'm a little misunderstood here. The guy I had words with was not there with a kid. So, if in fact there was a guy there with a kid that thought I was yelling at him, I apologize to that guy. But there was definitely a person standing back there, leaning over our dugout, yelling profanities at me. And I said something back to him. It was not directed at anybody who had a little girl next to them. I've got kids of my own. I understand what this guy would be saying."
Padres general manager Kevin Towers said after he was made aware of the complaint by Bob Watson, the vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball, he spoke to Nevin's agent, Barry Axelrod, and Padres president Dick Freeman.
"We need to find out if this is true," Freeman told the Union-Tribune. "My take now is that I am very concerned. If it happened this way, it is an embarrassment to our franchise and we will deal with it."
Said Towers: "I told [Axelrod] that we are unhappy about what we have heard. We don't want Phil to embarrass himself, the organization or the game. Phil has a track record. He needs to handle these situations - adverse at-bats - better."
Late in the 2002 season, Nevin made a gesture and had a verbal exchange with fans behind the Padres' dugout at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. He also has had other encounters with fans.
"It sounds like there was a confrontation in Philadelphia," Towers said. "If there was, we need to take the next step. Maybe we need to discuss this. If it takes getting him professional help...anger management...we might have to go there. He may need help.
"Getting heckled happens to players. It happens to Brian Giles and Mark Loretta. It's part of the game. They don't go off. You have to handle this better."
Said manager Bruce Bochy: "You're in a no-win situation when you get in a verbal spat with the fans. For 3 days in Philly, you know you're going to get it. You can't do anything but take it. You've got to be professional and go about your business."