Last summer Eamonn (then still known to the world only as PostmanE) shared with us the story of Mike Piazza getting hit in the head by a water bottle that a fan threw at him in a game against the Angels. This did not amuse Mike at all. In fact, after the game he made it clear to the media that he was going to press charges against the "gutless" fan. "That's a complete lower level of stupidity," Piazza told reporters after the incident.Mike wasn't lying because he did in fact press charges against the fan, and now that fan is going to spend a month in jail for what he did.
Roland Flores, 23, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and has been ordered to stay away from the stadium for three years for the assault on Oakland Athletics designated hitter Mike Piazza on July 25.Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that seem a bit extreme? I completely understand where Piazza is coming from here, because after being hit in the head by a flying water bottle at a concert once, I know that it hurts like hell. Still, jail time? Really? Did Piazza die from the resulting head wound?
Flores pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor counts of using force and violence while assaulting Piazza and for intentionally throwing a substance while in Angel Stadium, Anaheim police said.
Couldn't they just ban him from Angels Stadium, make him pay a fine, and then send him to clean up a freeway for a few hours? I guess the only way to avoid going to jail in Los Angeles is if you're a celebrity.
Spring Training 2008
Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco is congratulated by Magglio Ordonez after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training baseball game in Lakeland, Fla., Thursday, March 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Chicago Cubs shortstop Ronny Cedeno, left, is greeted by Milwaukee Brewers baserunner Mike Rivera, right, during a timeout for a pitching change in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee tosses his bat after striking out to Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sam Narron in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain slams into the wall as he attempts to make a play on a fly ball hit for a triple by Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa during the fourth nning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, second from right, is greeted at home plate by teammates, from left, Derrek Lee, Henry Blanco and Mark DeRosa after Soriano hit a three-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sam Narron in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Cleveland Indians pitcher Masa Kobayashi, of Japan, throws out Tampa Bay Rays' Andy Cannizaro in the seventh inning in a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Winter Haven, Fla. Kobayashi pitched one inning and gave up one hit and no runs. Tampa won 9-7. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Burke, top, watches his throw to first after forcing out Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Chicago Cubs' Mark Derosa, right, dives safely back to the base before Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, left, can apply the tag in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Augie Ojeda can't make the catch on a single by Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren reacts after Chicago White Sox's Paul Konerko's solo home run during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 21)
1. Obvously, Tom, you have been hit on the head by AT LEAST a water bottle (and full I assume). Why don't we just stop punishing anybody for anything? Then we don't have to worry who gets an unfair punishment and who gets a fair one. And anyone can do anything to anyone they want. And Piazza could've gone into the seats and laid out the fan, like the cricket player recently did...without punishment. And, I can wait outside for you and.......... :o)
Posted at 3:48PM on Mar 27th 2008 by NeonDon
2. I don't feel sorry for the drunken idiot who got 30 days for throwing a bottle at a player during a game. Hope he gets his butt kicked behind bars.
Posted at 7:56PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Mr. Bigano
3. that kind of cruelty is unnessesary and some time to thik about it probably though pain full will initiate different emotional releeses!!!!
Posted at 8:12PM on Mar 27th 2008 by norman spalding
4. Consequences.....Consequences for your actions....good to see it....even tho I don't care much for these spoiled kids playing sports today...little a-hole got jail time which he deserved...no big deal....make the punk pay for the legal costs in this whole deal including his time in the jail................
Posted at 8:39PM on Mar 27th 2008 by bruce
5. Heck yeah, jail time. Tough on crime, dude. The fine and cleaning a freeway, as you suggested, wouldn't deter anyone from doing the same thing again. In fact, that would be no more than a slap on the wrist.
Posted at 9:34PM on Mar 27th 2008 by BRS
6. Hang him!! And maybe the senseless killings in schools, restaurants and malls will take the hint! Come on America, quit putting up with senseless violence.
Posted at 9:37PM on Mar 27th 2008 by YGTBSM!
7. yeah, it is just you - this idiot should be banned from games FOR LIFE
Posted at 9:47PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Ellen Benigno
8. piazza's the type that would put a kid in jail, he's a baby. I hope everyone throws whatever they have at him on three. No one will ever accuse piazza of being a man. I'll bet he likes men, if you get my drift.
Posted at 9:54PM on Mar 27th 2008 by joek
9. Oh did the itsy bitsy baby piazza get hurt from an empty plastic water bottle?
Posted at 9:55PM on Mar 27th 2008 by bill
10. Tom Fornelli.... Yeah.. right if Mike had DIED.... THEN you give the guy 30 days. Obviously you aren't
particulary well suited for judging crime and suitable punishment... You are one clueless dude.. and as for the celebrity free ride in LA you better watch your step.... With efforts like this you're not likely to be classified a celeb in the near future.... Talk about someone not having a clue!!!
Posted at 10:01PM on Mar 27th 2008 by bob
11. Tom' you're a real idiot. You probably think it's ok for illegals to walk right in and take what they want without any consequences. You really can't blame being hit on the head for your gargantuan case of STUPID. Boy, people like you really piss me off. big time. Thanks for the use of the hall.
Posted at 10:05PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Sid
12. What if it's a brick....and you are the next victim? I say give him 90 days....then make him sweep the stadium.
Posted at 10:06PM on Mar 27th 2008 by John Keating
13. You're absolutely right, Tom - it is just you. Thirty days in jail ought to cool that drunken idiot off. Maybe he can find a water bottle or some sharp object to throw at one of the other inmates! :-)
Posted at 10:11PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Sue
14. Let that idiot get passed around by the other inmates and he will come out a real punk.Ha Ha.
Posted at 10:11PM on Mar 27th 2008 by leonard
15. Here's another idea, since he obviously threw with pinpoint control: Let's make Roland a starting pitcher.
Posted at 10:15PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Sue
16. It sounds like Tom Fornelli has a crush on Roland Flores, like a schoolgirl defending her brute beau.
Posted at 10:17PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Cire
17. Piazza didn't sentence this guy. He pressed charges against someone who thought it was funny to throw stuff at a player, who probably has done so before, and would have likely done so again. The JUDGE gave the sentence, after a jury convicted the guy. A lot of jerks have been throwing stuff at players over the years. It's a matter of time before one gets hurt. I hope this makes a few drunks think.
Posted at 10:21PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Mark
18. People throw objects at baseball players all the time and the fan is escorted to the door case closed. Piazza a cry baby, did that empty bottle of water hurt your feelings or were you in agony as you chose to portray. You acted like you were really hurt. You're a real man piazza, you hair ball.
Posted at 10:27PM on Mar 27th 2008 by joek
19. it"s bush"s fault. obamma will fix everything...the new messiah...my flock is moving now. i"ll be baaaaaaak................
Posted at 10:28PM on Mar 27th 2008 by vincent combs
20. How about 30 days in Bagdad on patrol with no armor with a guard unit.
Posted at 10:30PM on Mar 27th 2008 by max