JC Romero: A real class act

by joeybw on Jun 27, 2009 3:34 PM EDT

A New Port Richey man says he was assaulted by a Philadelphia Phillies player following Thursday's game against the Rays.

Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old father of two, said Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero grabbed him by the neck and pushed him after he made a comment about steroids.

For more on the story click here,

NEWS: After the Times reported Saturday of an incident between an unnamed Phillies player and a fan at Tropicana Field after Thursday's game at the Trop, the Phillies today issued this statement:

"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. 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."

The Times reported Saturday:
An incident took place between a fan and a Phillies player after Thursday's game, the Rays confirmed. ''At this point it is a police matter and for that reason we won't have any further comment," the team said in a statement, but did not identify the player. St. Petersburg Police officials could not be reached late Friday night, but a dispatcher confirmed that a report for a battery call was taken at the stadium at about 11 p.m. Thursday. The Phillies could not be reached for comment.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

Didn't the Red Sox cut bait with Romero a couple years back because he was reportedly a nasty ole' cuss?

Maybe I’m just an old fashioned BJ suck-off-er. (Good call Sandy)

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 27, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Roid rage!

Swav or Die
For the lulz

by SRQman on Jun 27, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I was just about the post that same thing.

Cheater

Kap-rilla???

by Sveet on Jun 27, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Him and Julian Tavarez need to get in a fist-fight on a bus that is driving over the edge of a cliff.

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 27, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

with Coco Crispy at the wheel

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Jun 27, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Please refresh my memory on Tavarez

by GomesSweetGomes on Jun 28, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Punching Joey Gathright in spring training.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Also broke his hand punching the wall after giving up a lead

I think he was with the Cardinals at that point.

by ChiBurbRaysFan on Jun 28, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

It was during the 2004 playoffs (NLCS or WS, can’ remember which). Lucky for him it was with his glove hand so he could still play. He just had to use a bigger glove cause his hand was swollen. I’m pretty sure he actually punched the bullpen phone though.

by nolesblogger on Jun 29, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought he actually kicked him whilst on the ground

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Jun 29, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Here you go:

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 29, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

that is the girliest punch i've ever seen

Selgy

by mittens on Jun 29, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO!!

Hello Kitty, #1 in your fantasy league. =p

by Boricua on Jun 29, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He also mounted him after the slapfight

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 30, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I dare someone tell Milton Bradley he is on steroids

by Longorious on Jun 27, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

hahaha

after a fan says that, Bradley would defend his honor by sending his DL records to the Chi Tribune from the cook county jail.

Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation

by CubFanRaysaddict on Jun 27, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hahaha!

Rec’d… even tho Bradley seems like an incredibly smarter guy than he was in the past.

Gross for an everyday position! (no offense, Kapler)

by BWoodrum on Jun 28, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, gotta take Romero's side here.

People think that they can say anything they want about a player and it absolves them of responsibility because they’re a fan. If you’re going to get into a player’s face like that and accuse them essentially of cheating, you better damn well be ready to take a punch to the face. Don’t whine like a pussy when the player reacts like this; you brought it upon yourself.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 28, 2009 3:10 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Nah, the guy cheated. Period. Romero deserves every second of the shit fans throw in his face.

For you to say it’s OK for Romero to choke/punch a fan because he made a comment about how he used steroids is ludicrous. Athletes are made fun of, laughed at, cursed at….you name it. For a guy who broke the rules and was suspended for his actions to attack a fan who is simply stating the obvious is uncalled for. Not only should Romero be arrested and charged, but he should also be suspended again from baseball and fined heavily. And I think you got it mixed up here, Romero brought this on himself. It never would have happened if he didn’t cheat.

by Longorious on Jun 28, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Why don't you do another Edwin post? And don't delete it this time.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 28, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Look here fuckstick. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyday.

You keep talking shit and I may have took embarass you in front of your family and friends or whoever you bring with you. I think it would be in your best interests to not respond to my posts.

by Longorious on Jun 28, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs

Awesome.

Internet tough guy.

Jeter Sucks.

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Jun 28, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Not really, kercir has been fucking with me far awhile now.

I would prefer to act as if we can’t see each other’s posts. Can’t a guy just talk baseball without some prick reponding negatively to what you just wrote?. Surely none of you would appreciate it.

For the record, I live in Pinellas County and have no problem solving our differences anywhere he wants

by Longorious on Jun 28, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

This isn't Nam, there are rules.

Have fun coming back under some other retarded name. People like you make me not like rooting for the Bucs, I hate you for this.

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 28, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I've had entire websites devoted to bashing everything I've wrote.

And people have said they wanted to beat my ass for calling some Tampa fans morons. Thanks for proving my point!

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this an exaggeration?

You’ve had multiple websites devoted to bashing you?

by RaysTheRoof on Jun 28, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

he only says stuff because he usually has the stats to back up what he is talking about

Vikings lets sign Brett Favre and Marvin Harrison. Ricky Rubio please dont go back to Spain!

by RaysOfHope on Jun 28, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

See, now you're done.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 28, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you the fat kid in gym thats gets pantsed?

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Jun 28, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

When was the last time you got laid?

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I chortled

Maybe I’m just an old fashioned BJ suck-off-er. (Good call Sandy)

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 28, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It's in my best interest that he does though because ahahahahahahahahahahahaha

by Graham MacAree on Jun 29, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

If...

It was Manny or A-Rod, how would your reaction be? They are all big boys, who get paid more money than we can comprehend and they need to control themselves a bit better. Did the fan try to hit Romero? If what the fan was saying was bothering him so bad, why did Romero get security to escort the guy away? Or better yet, why didnt he just man up and realize that he made a mistake and it will follow him for the rest of his life.

by Onecagedtiger on Jun 28, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

If it was Manny or A-Rod, my reaction would be the same.

Then again, there is absolutely no way in hell I’m going to get into a professional athlete’s face and call him a cheater or a roider unless I’m ready to defend myself. It’s not like Romero picked him out of the crowd and decided he was going to choke him out for shits and giggles.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 28, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I would argue that A-Rod and Manny should be treated with more respect because of the entertainment they have provided us.

They popped PED and we all benefited.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems the barb only came after asking for an autograph.

Which makes the fan’s actions look real petty.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

.

Romero knows being suspended will follow him wherever he goes and this situation here only adds to the problem. Romero should have just walked away plain and simple.

by Rayser Sharp 55 on Jun 28, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I guarantee.

If this were a Philly fan calling Willy Aybar a wife beater, and Willy threw him to the ground or whatever, most people saying “Haha Romero” would be defending Aybar.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

No.

Assaulting people for verbal insults is not reasonable.

by RaysTheRoof on Jun 28, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. At the same time, having the expectation that it will never happen is equally unreasonable.

Going 2 steps further, if you’re literally doing it in someone’s face, as was the case here, you’re instigating and should expect any level of elevated responses, including a physical confrontation. Also, HE’S A FREAKING ROIDER.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 28, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

In your eyes.

That doesn’t mean if this were a Rays player people wouldn’t defend him thick and thin. Don’t lie to yourself.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Ehhhh....

Wrong is wrong…period. If it was a Rays player who did that, I would say the same thing. But if it was Joe Madden, I would say the fan had it coming.

Elijah Dukes could have single handed won us a WS and it still would have not been enough for me to like him. Same reason I will never like Randy Johnson… total asshole to fans. There is a responsiblity they have… like any job. Be a man, realize you make millions of dollars, some of which that was payed for by the yahoo who was heckling you, and just walk away.

by Onecagedtiger on Jun 29, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not saying everyone would, but I think we can agree that some are swayed because of the alliance issue.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 29, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Romero has it rough....

That Jackie Robinson guy has nothing on JC.

M.V.Z. Most Valuable Zorilla!

by SeanDubbs on Jun 28, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Why was an adult Rays fan hanging out in the parking lot looking for a Phillies autograph....

I’m sorry, I hope I dont offend anyone on this site…. But a grown ass man asking another man for an autograph is pretty lame….

by td32 on Jun 28, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

At least the guy's kid wasn't trying to get Romero to wave at him

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 28, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

we went over this in another thread.

its not lame.

car flags are lame.

replica championship rings that you actually pay $80-100 for are lame.

by daveh33 on Jun 28, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like you've outed yourself

Dave “the Autograph guy” H33

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 28, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

last autos i got were McCann and Francouer when they played in the SAL in 04

I was 18.

But I would absolutely get BOSSMAN and Justin to sign something if given the chance.

I don’t wait in the parking lot tho. I usually try before or right after the game

by daveh33 on Jun 28, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think it's lame depending on the context.

If you’re getting your JC Romero rookie card autographed, that’s one thing. If you’re asking him to autograph your blank Phillies jersey that already has autographs from 5 or 6 different players, that’s OK too. If you’re asking him to autograph a napkin on the other hand, well yeah that’s kinda weak.

I’ve never been an autograph seeker myself though. I still stick with the ‘never meet your heroes’ mantra.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 28, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw the first stone

Maybe I’m just an old fashioned BJ suck-off-er. (Good call Sandy)

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jun 28, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

and people in stone houses should never throw glass

ever….

Regressing to the mean streets of St. Pete

by stpetelawyer on Jun 28, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I wont buy an autograph...

That is weak, but I have a collection of “stars” I have met. I live about 15 minutes from where Ted Williams used to live (when he was thawed out) and I have an autographed ball from him. Around here you can get a Mike Hampton autograph with a happy meal purchase.

by Onecagedtiger on Jun 29, 2009 12:56 AM EDT reply actions

That's a great point. Buying an autograph is kinda...Clay Aikenish, if you know what I mean.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jun 29, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Here is my take

1. Romero shouldn’t have punched someone. No need to resort fo physical violence

2. If you are a fan, or well a human in general, you shouldn’t expect no consequences when you talk that much crap to someone. If you get into someones face to talk smack then you shouldn’t be surprised when there is a reaction.

If I was either player I probably would have done the nearly the same thing as both people. If I see a player on another team I’m going to talk a little smack depending on the player. And depending on the player it may get a little intense. However I’m not delusional enough to think that the player won’t ever respond. If i was Romero I’d probably get a bit pissed and talk some major junk back at that guy. Maybe threaten him a bit.

Either way both guys were in the wrong

by matthan on Jun 29, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

Are you going to talk smack after asking for an autograph?

I think that’s the real stupidity of the entire thing.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 29, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't ask for an autograph period

I probably wouldn’t say squat after a game anyways.

by matthan on Jun 29, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think there's any excuse for Romero

I do ask for autographs, and I’m over 18, so maybe that makes me lame. Quite honestly, I don’t care – I enjoy it, I’ve gotten to know most of the players, they say they appreciate the support, so I’m going to continue.

Hanging out before and after the game, I’ve seen a lot of the worst behaviours from dealers and traders. Quite honestly, it’s reprehensible and ethically appalling. They hurl verbal abuse at players, exploit small children, physically crowd players, etc. It’s awful, and I can’t believe the players put up with it.

That being said, I don’t think there is ever a circumstance that would justify a professional athlete physically confronting or assaulting a fan because of verbal harassment. You just cannot excuse that sort of behaviour. And yes, I hold the Rays players to the exact same standard – if a Rays player ever assaulted someone in circumstances like these, I would expect a lengthy, possibly indefinite ban from MLB. There are some actions that are inexcusable. Is it fair? No, probably not. But I do think there needs to be an absolute prohibition on a player engaging in physical confrontations after being verbally taunted.

by sstamour on Jun 30, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions