During the seventh inning of Monday night’s Braves/Rockies game at Coors Field, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was confronted by a pair of fans who were seemingly looking to get a picture with the NL MVP favorite.
Security intervened and the fans were removed from the field and arrested, as Acuña was left unharmed and remained in the game for the final two innings.
After the game, the Braves slugger opened up about the incident, saying, “I was a little scared at first, but I think the fans were out there and asking for a picture. But security was able to get there, and so I think everything’s OK. Everyone’s OK.”
Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar added, “I don’t think they had any ill intentions. I think that was pretty evident early on. Still, I mean, we have these rules and regulations in place. We’re supposed to feel safe on the field. Thankfully, they weren’t there to do any harm.”
Fans leaving the stands to go on the field is never a good idea, and while it ended well this time, that isn’t always the case. In 2002, two fans at Comiskey Park rushed the field and attacked Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa during a game against the White Sox. Gamboa suffered hearing loss in the attack.
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