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Those Rangers Fans Who Caught That Ball Want Michael Kay To Apologize For Being Mean To Them

by Glenn Davis | 4:23 pm, April 27th, 2012

So, remember that whole controversy with the Rangers fans who caught a ball that got thrown into the stands, but didn’t realize there was a very young, and crying, child next to them who thought for sure he was going to get the ball, and then a ton of people hated the fans for not realizing the kid was there/giving him the ball? Well, here’s where we are with all that now. We know the kid wound up with a different ball in the end and was perfectly happy. We know the kid’s parents weren’t mad at the couple who snagged the ball.

And now we know what the happy couple who got the original ball thinks. Unsurprisingly, they’re not thrilled at receiving so much vitriol, and think that Michael Kay, the announcer who first ripped them, ought to apologize. Now, first off, let us say that we can understand why the couple wouldn’t be happy with how this has all played out – we said in our first post on this that they didn’t seem to do anything wrong in getting the ball. However, saying Kay owes you an apology is a bad for a number of reasons. Let’s list them:

1. Just let the controversy die, people. We were getting there. This was getting close to not being a thing anymore. Like we said, the kid and parents were fine. Hell, a lot of people thought the kid was being a complete crybaby and therefore thought the couple was completely in the right (we never got that argument – the kid was three years old. He’ll learn. It’s not like he was 15). Saying you thought Kay was overly hard on you was one thing. Actually requesting an apology? That’s literally asking to keep this story alive.

2. The apology is not going to happen. “You might remember the other night, I was a little hard on a couple fans who didn’t give a young man a baseball. Well, it’s come to my attention that the fans aren’t bad people and they were upset with what I said about them, so let me offer my full apologies.” Does that sound likely to you? It doesn’t to us, either.

3. Wait… Michael Kay is the person you want to act reasonable? This is piggybacking on the last thing a bit – it’s hard to imagine any announcer giving an apology to a couple fans upset with them, but especially hard with Michael Kay. When Kay has an opinion, he has it. He won’t just say that mentioning a perfect game can jinx it isn’t just dumb – he’ll equate it to slavery and the Holocaust. This might not be the guy to trust to analyze things in a totally grounded, level-headed fashion.

4. You and Kay don’t totally disagree anyway. The fans are mad because Kay was harsh on them even though they claim they were “honestly unaware of the situation of the little boy sitting next to us.” Now, watch the video again. Kay calls them “oblivious.” Yeah, he also says “greedy,” which we imagine you’d dispute, but… how different are your opinions of what happened, really?

The point: this is an internet controversy. Just ride it out for a few days, and no one will care anymore. Also, apparently you guys are getting married this weekend? You’ve got bigger things on your minds – why even worry about this at all? In 24 hours or so, no one else will be worrying about it… as long as you let them forget.

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Filed Under:
Fans
Texas Rangers

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SSRVT3OVMCGG5LG66NQUHOBSS4 Kenneth

It’s not a question of being “mean to them,” it’s a question of slandering them on national television.
mmm

The least he could do is admit he’s a huge ass.
http://profile.yahoo.com/C3GSOWKW2RAIO5EZYAWPWDZDQM Mr. Stacy Merritt

This Kay guy should be fined and suspended
Devontt

You are an idiot and Kay is an asshole.
http://profile.yahoo.com/W3PSWS3USHROWYZ2XL3W5CZFEA David

And I thought the 3 year old was a whiny brat for acting his age.
Chris

This article has it right. It is shocking to me that the first three comments stand in such stark contrast with the opinions of the author. We can all agree that Kay was a little harsh in his description of the situation, but come on, slander? To say that a couple is oblivious and rude for not giving a baseball to a small child is now somehow slander? He didn’t make any personal comments about them. He was watching a situation transpire, and commented on the situation he was watching. Right or wrong, that is by no means slander. I don’t even like Michael Kay, I think he is a shite announcer, and I would like to see him hoisted for all kinds of different reasons, but not this one.

The couple in question seems like two of the least fun and most uptight people you could ever have the displeasure of dining with, and also they were involved in the planning of the 9-11 attacks. Now, THAT, is defamatory.
rglaze

Kenneth nailed it. It’s amazing to me that anyone could take the side of someone who is suppose to be commentating on the game, not the stands & while doing the latter, slanders fans trying to enjoy the game. I’ve been to numerous MLB games & I don’t have a ball. This is where the mentality of “participation trophies” comes from. You’re not always a winner & you don’t always catch the ball. The world is a crazy place & Kay needs to realize that he is in a public position. The statements he has made has lead to this couple being harassed. If all they want is an apology, I say humor them.
HaywoodJablowme

The player who threw the ball into the crowd — did he intend to throw
it to the brat? If so, he clearly missed. Imagine the media attention
if the baseball hit the 2-year-old in the head. Though the player who
lobbed the ball into the stands would be under fire, I would
have enjoyed such a situation more as the kid would have a reason to cry.

Professional athletes get paid lots of money for what they do. With that kind of salary, they must be “company men” and always behave professionally on and off the field inclusive of giving balls and autographs to kids. Such deeds only make people like them more. As for Michael Kay, his commentating on players and the events of the game should be limited to just that. To follow a ball that was tossed out of play and criticize the fans who caught it certainly makes him an asshole. Were it not for fans, neither he nor the players would have jobs.

I have attended many sports events through out the years. The only free souvenir I ever brought home was a sun burn. Were I seated in the middle of a gaggle of kids (god forbid) and a ball was lobbed in that direction, if I caught it I would keep it. I don’t fish “catch and release” areas either.

Players should NEVER lob balls toward any children that are too small to catch them. It is a liability. As with the tools of any trade, such implements should never be put in the hands of the incompetent without accepting full responsibility of the implied “risk of injury” that comes with misuse. Thus, if a kid has a catcher’s mit, that is parental permission for players to throw as many balls as they want at the kid.

The “reporter” who brought this “story” to the world’s attention should
be flogged and Michael Kay right along with ‘em.
guest

Even before the couples interview, I could tell from the video they were unaware of the child. Michael Kay needs to humble himself and apologize to the couple. He instigated that entire situation. I hope they sue him for whatever they can sue him for.
Raydar

Heh… I hope Michael Kay gets sued. I’ll bet there is some enterprising lawyer willing to do just that. C’mon lawyers… butch up!