Lately, a lot of attention has been given to the interactions between fans and players on the diamond. Those angry reactions are nothing new, as Jackie Jensen and Ted Williams went after Red Sox fans on this day in 1956.
Angry confrontations with fans are nothing new. While there has been a good deal of attention placed on the racial slurs hurled at Orioles outfielder Adam Jones by Red Sox fans, and Matthew Joyce being suspended for two games due to his insensitive remarks, this has been an ongoing issue. Since the early days of baseball, players and fans have had a somewhat adversarial relationship at times.
Those difficulties with the fans were quite evident on this day in 1956 with the Red Sox. Prior to their game against the Yankees, Boston right fielder Jackie Jensen attracted the ire of a fan. His teammates needed to restrain him from going into the Fenway stands and attacking the patron. It certainly set the stage for the rest of the game.
With the game in extra innings, it was Ted Williams’ turn to draw the ire of the fanbase. With two out in the top of the 11th, Williams misplayed Mickey Mantle‘s wind blown fly ball, earning a cascade of boos. Those boos turned to cheers just a couple of minutes later when Williams made a leaping catch, snaring Yogi Berra‘s line drive against the scoreboard.
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However, that turn around was not enough for Williams. Still angered at the crowd, Williams spat at the fans, the third time he had done so in three weeks. Again, the fans turned on Williams, as his latest salivary offering was not well received. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Williams gave the fan base something else to cheer, as he drew a bases loaded walk to give the Red Sox the victory.
Williams latest spitting incident also earned the ire of team owner Tom Yawkey. As the Red Sox did not have a llama in left, he fined the star $5000 after the game, saying that the spitting needed to stop. Although, in fairness, there were likely worse ways that Williams could have displayed his displeasure.
Incidents with fans are nothing new in baseball. On this day in 1956, Red Sox fans drew the ire of the players in two separate incidents.