Rob Ebert's column on the Yankees and their annoying franchise needs some correction. Dear Rob, please open your eyes. Your story of the Sheffield-fan incident is slightly off-kilter and biased. No, I am not a Yankees fan, on the contrary I am a Boston Red Sox fan from Worcester, Mass. If you watch the video of the incident and slow it down, you will see that the fan, Mr. Christopher House, makes a half-hearted attempt at reaching for the ball and makes a swift uppercut motion in Sheffield's direction. As House's arm pass the right fielder's face you will see Sheffield's head get knocked backwards. House was clearly not reaching for the ball. Contributing to the incident was "The Gap Guy" as the Boston Media has dumped him for his Gap sweatshirt. This man in Detroit fashion tossed the beer in his cup at Sheffield.
Don't get me wrong, I hate the Yankees. From the bottom of my heart, but what House and Gap Guy did was wrong. I was ashamed to see Red Sox fans acting in that manner. Furthermore, I am appalled that the Red Sox are reimbursing House for his season tickets he must give up because of his actions. He should lose the tickets and the money he spent on them for his actions. The Gap Guy has lost his privileges to enter Fenway Park for the rest of the year. Also another point of contention is the question, why was he reaching for the ball in the first place? If he had obtained the ball the umpires would have ruled interference and Varitek would have ended up at second instead of third.
As much as I dislike Sheffield and hate the Yankees, Ebert you are wrong. All of Boston was very displeased with these two men. Many, like me, feel the punishment placed on them by the Red Sox was too light. If you watch the video, many fans immediately point out House and the Gap Guy to security so they would be escorted out of the park. Sheffield showed restraint and did not go into the stands. He did shove House, but he was clearly provoked. Next time, will you please do a little more research and get your facts straight.
Michael Neiduski is a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences.
This viewpoint appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 26 2005.