A week ago, I thought writing a message on a ball was a cutting-edge response to a heckler. But now? Let's just Ken Griffey, Jr. raised things to a whole new level. After a bold fan scored "by far the best seats I've had for a game" four rows up from the field next to the visitor's dugout at Dodgers Stadium for Saturday's game, he decided to take advantage by singling out Griffey with taunts:Well, by the 2nd inning [Griffey] was looking right at me giving me the looks. When he walks in from the 6th inning he decided he had enough and came over to talk some smack. He called me some fat references which was hilarious and then he told me I couldnt touch the threads on his jock...And ... there's visual proof, above and to the right. For more pictures, check out the heckler's MySpace page. Oddly enough, just like the guy who caught the ball Vernon Wells tossed out, getting free swag -- even nasty, stained, underwear-type swag -- was enough for the heckler to change his tune:
I then told him to show me what he's got, that he talks a big game and then I told him to limp back to the dugout where he belongs and I even said some things about his Mom. I told him I might be fat, but I could still play center field:) It was an incredible exchange to say the least. After the 6th inning he walks out and stops to talk to me holding a brown paper bag in his hand. He motions to throw it to me and I told him no, I know that trick. He laughs and says catch it, so I put up my hands and he tosses it over. He wouldn't leave until I opened it and when I finally did, the whole place erupted with laughter. Griffey throws me his jock...
When Griffey came back in, I told him I was sorry about what said about his mom and that I wanted to make up. He shot me a grin. When he came out in the 8th he shot me another smile, and I told him he still has the greatest swing in baseball. I hope he heard me, I think he did. I love Griffey.A free ball one week, a sweaty jock strap the next ... where does this end?
(via The Jaunt and Deadspin)
Previously on FanHouse:
Brian Urlacher's Jock Strap and Cup Available on eBay
Vernon Wells 'Gas Station Ball' Exposed for All to See
Vernon Wells Wants to Yell at You While You're Working
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-14-2007 @ 4:25PM
jeff kane said...
mmmmm.....yummm.sweaty jock and all....was it all yellow and crusty?? did it smell real good???
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5-14-2007 @ 5:21PM
griffey fan said...
that is classic!!!!
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5-14-2007 @ 6:38PM
JR dowd said...
thats a great comeback...and he does have the prettiest swing in baseball
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5-14-2007 @ 6:57PM
Jim Morrison said...
That jock is probably going to be on ebay next week for $2,000!
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5-14-2007 @ 7:07PM
Jill said...
FINALLY, a NICE ending to a great story with two men acting like adults. It's fabulous. Now if only it becomes a trend... what a world it could be! LOL Peace!
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5-14-2007 @ 8:36PM
Rick said...
I think this is great, just like the ball story. But I feel these stories are going to encourage some that already heckle beyond the norm to think they are now entitled to some sort of prize for doing it. While I enjoy a good natured taunts and have said my fair share, I dont go to games to listen to some fool yell the entire time or to listen too those who do not know when to shut up. Then there are those who are vulgar or drunk and the kids who are in the stands dont need that either. Just my 2 cents, dont need to agree with me and I am not preaching it as fact.
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5-15-2007 @ 12:42AM
jim said...
No wonder why familys don't go to the park anymore this guy IDIOT bragging about saying things about griffs mom is not good i hope mr stupid doen's have any kids but the media got a hold of the story and ran it all WRONG the HEADLINE SHOULD BE
Jock reaches to low to get back at hecklers
i just hope no one HAD ANY KIDS IN THE STANDS NEAR THAT STUPID MAN AND GRIFFEY SHOULD BE FINED FOR BEING AN IDIOT ALSO to do something so stupid like that HEY GRIIF you work at the PARK don't you tell security i am sure thier is a POLICY AGAINST overly abusive FANS (IDIOTS) YOU JUST SHOWED JUST HOW MUCH CLASS YOU HAVE NONE NONE NONE NONE
P.S. I am sure the OWNER OF THE REDS WOULD OF LOVED FOR HIS KID TO BE SEATED NEXT TO THAT GUY WHEN GRIFFEY GAVE OUT HIS JOCK STRAP THEN WE WOULD BE SEEING A DIFFERENT STORY WOULDN"T WE JUST GLAD IT WASN:T MINE I WOULD OF BEEN ARRESTED FOR HITTING TWO LOW CLASS IDIOTS FAMILY VALUES FAMILY VALUES WERE R THEY ????????????????????????????/
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5-15-2007 @ 1:22AM
George B Vieto said...
At least Ken didn't go into the stands and give this joker a beating for the insults of Ken's family. Way to go Ken, don't get mad get even.
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5-15-2007 @ 7:59AM
Raybo said...
hey I'm a nascar fan I don't want Jeff Gordon to give me anything like that when I'm up in the stands heckling him.... even if it's Victoria Seceret
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5-15-2007 @ 1:06PM
rob said...
Griffey certainly has his nerve...he is the classic example of a ballplayer making huge money for past glories and then coasting over the rest of his career. Somehow he manages to get badly injured every year..I dont know if its the results of past steroid use or just staying in poor non playing shape most of the year.Someone should stuff the jock in Griffey's mouth
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5-15-2007 @ 4:12PM
Joey said...
You sure do have some nerve, Rob, accusing a player universally respected among baseball of steroid use, despite literally no evidence to back up that accusation. Griffey is a classic example of a ball player with bad luck on the health front? Several of his injuries have resulted from training too much. He gets hurt diving after fly balls, going all out. Coasting the rest of the his career? Take a look at his OPS right now. Or take a look at his last healthy year (2005), when he was the Comback Player of the Year. You're a classic example of an uninformed tool with an internet connection, Rob.
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5-15-2007 @ 4:29PM
joe said...
are you people crazy. griffey is so amazing and the reason he gets hurt is because unlike some outfielders he plays hard every play and runs as hard as he can. tell me if you can cover that much feild, runn into walls and not get hurt.
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5-15-2007 @ 6:26PM
dodgers tickets said...
HAHA that is great yeah ken griffey deserves it. How many days has that guy spent on the DL each year.
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5-16-2007 @ 8:02AM
Matt C said...
I hope I'm never in a situation where I have to give another man my underwear, but if I am, I really don't want him declaring his love for me afterwards...
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5-18-2007 @ 6:11PM
jim said...
If you love GRIFFEY just invite him over to the HOUSE so he can tell your daughters and mothers and grandmothers sisters that he got even with a hecklers by taking off his germ infested JOCK . Tell your sons who play little league if they talk about MOM just put your jock in a bag and hand it to HIM in any other league this PRIMA DONNA WHOS PAST HIS TIME would have been kick OUT
Griffey is a classic example of a ball player
that is the most obsurd comment EVER if he's the classic example then why is he the ONLY ONE who ever put his jock in a bag class not at all more like an ASS ya he's so great HIS TEAMS never made it anywhere had my son did that at any age i would of SCREAMED so maybe the guy was right about what he was saying CAUSE YOU LEARN MANNERS AT HOME from your MOM and DADI THINK HE GOT NOTHING i got to go griffs HERE and he's givng me a jock for my own can we BURN BABBY BURN
P.S. just keep his over rate ass in CINNCI we ned MEN WITH CLASS NOT WHO ACT LIKE AN ASS
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5-18-2007 @ 7:30PM
Mike said...
Everyone is talking about Griffey's "swing".. and no Jockstrap.. "So Confused"! ( Just laugh folks}
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5-21-2007 @ 8:01AM
Nancy said...
Just another sports story the people of Cincinnati DON'T need! Marvin and his problem children and now Castellini and his. How sad.
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5-21-2007 @ 11:34PM
MePet said...
Ok rob...A loser as yourself has no concept of baseball whatsoever..the reason for Griffey getting hut alot and missing so many games was because of playing too hard...he puts it all on the field...Cudos to Griffey...That fat a$$ might have gotten a fist in his face from me if he said something about my mom...By the way, if Griffey would have been healthy thru his career, we might be talking about him breaking Hank's record right now and not Bonds...Hey Griffey, you're a class act who has without a doubt the sweetest swing in baseball...
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5-22-2007 @ 3:40PM
justmichaud said...
That's great. I witnessed one a great athlete exchange ten years ago with Phil Sims and a heckler 10 years ago(the NFL Run For Daylight in Tempe Arizona). This guy was yelling to Phil who was walking around, wanting to get his autograph. Phil just kept ignoreing the crowd until the heckler yelled "Phil, you aren't worth 5 million dollars"(which at the time was what the cardinals offered him to play, but wisely turned down). Thats when Phil stopped and turned around with a huge grin on his face and said, "Thats not what your wife said"! The whole crowd busted up laughing. It was the best athlete exchange I seen in person.
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5-22-2007 @ 4:33PM
Will said...
Griffey is worthy of a Hall of Fame spot. No doubt.
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