The fan who allegedly threw a beer can onto field in Major League game identified
HE IS accused of throwing a beer can onto the field during a Major League playoff game, but says there is more to the incident.
MLB
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TORONTO Police has released a photo of the fan suspected of throwing a beer can nearby an Orioles outfielder during the Major League AL wildcard game in Toronto on Tuesday night.
The photo was shared by thousands on social media. Later, Canada’s TSN identified the man as Ken Pagan, a journalist at Postmedia Network in Toronto, according to the Toronto Sun.
After the Toronto victory, which involved the fan throwing a can at Hyun Soo Kim during the seventh inning, Pagan spoke with police on Tuesday night, reports the New York Post.
He will turn himself in, according to the report. While he admits he was drinking at the time, he said he was drinking out of a cup. He suggested there was more to the story that his lawyer advised him not to share.
“I’d love to tell you what happened and my story,” said Pagan, whose social media presence showed he was at the game, and whose Twitter account has since been deleted. “But I can’t say anything.”
Pagan, an award-winning journalist, is a former employee of Sun Media. The Toronto Sun had issued a $1000 bounty to anyone who could identify the culprit.
The photo released shows a man with dark hair, a Blue Jays shirt and a jacket glaring down at Kim.
Pls RT~Man to ID for tossing beer can on field at @RogersCentre #WildCard game @BlueJays @Orioles~Info call Toronto Police 416-808-5200 ^sm pic.twitter.com/f9JrRLeXPJ
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) October 5, 2016
Toronto Detective Pat Alberga said security camera footage inside the stadium helped identify the suspect.
“We have video footage that shows it,” Alberga said.
Blue Jays fans tossed bottles and debris on the field during game five of last year’s AL Division Series against Texas, upset by the call that let Rougned Odor score from third after catcher Russell Martin’s throw back to the mound deflected off Shin Soo Choo’s bat. A baby was narrowly missed.
A fan in Toronto also threw a drink at Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth during a game at Rogers Centre in May 2013.
“I don’t think there is another ballpark where beer is served in cans,” commissioner Rob Manfred said. “We’ve worked really hard to make sure … that alcohol is served and consumed in a responsible way in all of our ballparks.
“I think that one of the reasons last night attracted so much attention is it’s an unusual — rare may be a better word — event in one of our ballparks.”
Toronto said it is planning tougher security measures and alcohol policies at Rogers Centre. Toronto also apologised to the Orioles and pledged to help authorities identify the spectator.
After winning 5-2 in 11 innings on Tuesday night, the Blue Jays issued a statement saying they felt “extreme disappointment” that tarnished “an otherwise memorable night.”
The team said it will “enact heightened security measures and alcohol policies that will ensure the fan experience and safety of everybody involved.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory called the fan a “loon-ball,” encouraged him to turn himself in and suggested he may need counselling.
This article originally appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as The fan who allegedly threw a beer can onto field in Major League game identified
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