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MLBVideoWeird But True

Rangers Fan Ejected From Game For Waving Flag In The Bleachers

by Evan Sporer | 11:41 am, August 2nd, 2012

There must have been something in the air last night, because this is only the second strangest baseball-related ejection that we’ve come across today.

Last night’s Angels-Rangers game in Arlington was one of the best, wildest games of the season: the Angels had 6-0 and 7-1 leads midway through the game, but a persistent Rangers comeback, capped off by an Ian Kinsler home run in the ninth, knotted the score at seven and sent the game to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th, the Angels quickly took the lead on a Chris Ianetta home run. Then, with Albert Pujols up to bat with two outs in the inning, the umpires stopped the action, and called over a stadium security officer to tell him they needed to take care of a man in the center field bleachers. That man’s crime? Waving his flag.

I sort of get this, but it’s still utterly bizarre. Anything that goes on in center field can completely throw off a hitter. It’s why most stadiums don’t offer seating in dead center. But this Rangers fan was just out there, waving his flag, holding up his camera. (I don’t think the camera had anything to do with this.) So not only does security confront this dude about the flag, he gets tossed from the game. Guess he was just oozing with Texas pride and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

And you know what? The announcer was right. The biggest loser in all of this was pitcher Joe Nathan, who had Pujols to deal with, and was one out away from getting out of the inning – only to give up a two-run home run to Pujols later in the at bat.

h/t Larry Brown Sports



  • Mario Rivera

    Completely stupid!  For waving a flag.  Explain to me how that will obstruct Pujols view or affect his batting.  I’m really amazed at how utterly insane and idiotic this decision was made by the empire.  So having a mascot around the field during a game does not distract players?  Doing the wave does not interrupt!  Stupid MLB.

  • Caminton58

    This fan was out of the batters eye so he had every right to wave his flag. should we start holding up quiet signs as in golf so we dont distract the players.

  • Anonymous

    Are you serious? Lawsuit!

  • TXTruthFairy

    That flag waving guy is my dad. He’s had those seats for 10 yrs and waved that flag at every game he’s attended. Wasn’t a problem at World Series or for 9 innings, but SUDDENLY it’s a major distraction? He was ejected AFTER he stopped waving and hung it on railing….where its hung for 10 yrs. BS.

  • http://www.facebook.com/john.hurk John Hurk

    fan waiven in soccer games is aloud ! behind free throws attempts Basketball too !!! really  a stupid act from the the refs

  • Mo_tech19

    TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERYONE!!! That fan paid for his tickets which by the way are hard to come by this season and are priced pretty high to get kicked out for waving the Texas flag during an at bat. PUJOLS STOP BEING SUCH A FREAKING CRYBABY!!!

  • Cellargirl

    I’m an Angels fan, and it’s been quite the topic of conversation out here.  We had no clue what he did, I actually had to google it (hence why I’m here) to find out what he did.  Lame call.  He has every right to wave that flag.

  • NDDad

    He thought it was a joke because he has had the same flag in the same
    seats for ten years. and no one has ever complained before. When he arrives at the
    game he hangs the flag on the railing, waves it when its a big moment in
    the game and causes no problems. He is not even in the batters line of
    sight as straight away center is a big open patch of grass. 

    That is my son on the far right, the guy is his baseball coach. I
    thought Rojas was being a jerk and Coach did not have to explain
    anything to my son on the way home. He was excited to be on TV actually.

  • marisela zapata

    I can not believe that,,just let the man have  his fun. what a joke……maybe the who called this needs a day off……

  • marisela zapata

     PUJOLE  IS JUST WHAT IT MEANS ……BIG CRYBABY…..
    HE GOT THE RIGHT NAME.
    AND THAT REF…WHAT A …WHAT A……LOLOL


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