Dodgers Cancel Half-Price Alcohol in Aftermath of Fan's Beating
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Wednesday that half-price alcoholic beverages are no longer part of a half-price food and drink promotion set to run for six midweek games throughout the 2011 season.
According to the LA Times, L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich called on the Dodgers recently to cancel the half-price alcoholic beverage portion of the promotion in the aftermath of the beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, who remains in a medically induced coma in a Los Angeles hospital.
Stow, the 42-year-old father of two, was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium after the season opener on March 31 while wearing San Francisco Giants attire. The LA Times says 16 LAPD officers and detectives are working to identify and arrest the assailants. They are looking for two men who may be Dodger fans.
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The Dodgers and Giants are fierce rivals on the baseball diamond, but players from both teams met at the pitcher’s mound on Monday night at AT&T Park in San Francisco to call on fans to leave the rivalry on the field. Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt and Dodgers infielder Jamey Carroll spoke to the crowd.
“I don’t think I need to tell you guys about the Dodger-Giants rivalry,” said Affeldt, a Christian who runs a blog called “To Stir a Movement” where he is an advocate for orphans, the poor, and youth. “It’s one of the most storied rivalries in the history of the game. But in honoring that rivalry and in honoring the Stow family, we ask that you respect that rivalry, and you respect each other as fans.”
Affeldt went on to say fans have the right to wear black and orange colors to support the Giants and Dodger blue to support Los Angeles, which drew a smattering of boos.
“But you have to remember that when these two teams get on the field and we play, we play with a ton of competition,” Affeldt said. “We’re fierce competitors, but when the last out is made, that rivalry ends on the field. So please respect that.”
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that there were online threats of Bay Area retribution for the attack on Stow which caused San Francisco police to beef up their presence around the ballpark. LAPD also plan to beef up their presence tonight as the Dodgers return home to begin a new series against St. Louis and authorities say there will be a zero tolerance policy for rowdy behavior.
There have been positive signs among the fans of both teams during the series between the Giants and Dodgers this week. Rene Eisaman, one of Stow’s cousins, was seen hugging Dodger fans in a parking lot near AT&T Park on Monday. And fans of both teams were seen chatting. The series concluded Wednesday night without further incident, other than arrests for public intoxication.
Both teams have held fundraisers to help Stow’s family and to cover his medical expenses. The Dodgers fundraiser raised more than $61,000 and they plan to hold another one tonight. The Giants fundraiser, combined with a silent auction, raised $70,000.
The Stow family has set up a Twitter account (@Support4Stow) and a website (www.support4bryanstow.com) to raise additional support and to keep the public updated about Stow’s condition. Erin, Stow’s sister, posted the most recent news about Stow’s condition on the website Wednesday.
“So amazing all the love and support!!” she said. “There have been no more seizures for a couple days so the drs [sic] have been slowly lowering the sedation and hopefully it will be all out of his system tonight. Once it’s out of his system, he can be examined and hopefully (praying) he responds to commands. Or better yet, wakes up!! Please keep the prayers coming!!”
