Dodgers fans making their frustrations towards Astros felt early
It is safe to say that there is no love lost between any opposing fan base and the Houston Astros. After AstroGate, and what has been considered a slap on the wrist from Major League Baseball, fans around the country have let the team know exactly what they think of them. For Los Angeles Dodgers fans, who have been waiting years for their chance to voice their displeasure, the current series is a chance to find catharsis.
That expulsion of venom began the second the Astros stepped on the field. Even batting practice home runs were not safe, and Dodgers fans began firing them back on the field.
Dodgers fans venting anger at Astros
This experience occurred even before the Astros arrived at the ballpark. As they went to enter the stadium, they were greeted by a fan holding a sign with a giant asterisk. Considering that the fanbase has been waiting for two years to voice their displease, that initial reaction was surprisingly mild.
That has changed as it gets closer to game time. With fans being in the stadium early, and watching batting practice, they are getting a chance to warm up for the main event. Dodgers fans are in mid-season form, and the Astros are their targets.
There is certainly nothing wrong with throwing those home run balls back on the field. This is common practice at other ballparks, and Cubs fans have made that a tradition at Wrigley Field when the opposition homers. So long as those balls are not being thrown directly at the players, there is no harm. There is some confusion as to whether or not that is happening. While Bill Plaschke is saying that the balls are being fired at the Astros players, others are saying they are just being thrown back on the field.
Considering the level of heckling that is taking place during batting practice, the Astros are clearly going to be in for a long two days. They will be booed and heckled at every turn, with trash cans being slammed and asterisks flying everywhere. It is certainly not going to be an enjoyable series.
Dodgers fans are already letting the Astros know how they feel. Considering the level of vitriol during batting practice, this series should be interesting.