I didn’t
think I’d see a worse display of sportsmanship and sour grapes than the St.
Louis Post Dispatch putting an asterisk on its back page headline about Johan
Santana’s no-hitter against the Cardinals. But the Kansas City Royals fans
proved me wrong.
The non-stop abuse Royals fans heaped on Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees turned what
should have been a positive, festive event into a nightmare for the Yankees
second baseman that overshadowed what was truly a fun competition. I was
astonished by the lack of class shown by the hometown fans.
I understand
their disappointment over Billy Butler not making it on to the American League
Home Run Derby team, but it’s not Cano’s fault that he was forced to choose his
team before he knew who was going to be on the All-Star roster. If anything,
their misplaced anger should have been directed at Major League Baseball. But
there was no justification for the constant vitriol they directed at Cano. I
was actually embarrassed for Royals fans, whose lack of hospitality proved them
unworthy of hosting the All-Star game.
Cano claimed
he wasn’t bothered by the sustained booing, attributing his poor performance in
the Derby to a lack of sleep following Sunday night’s late marathon against the
Red Sox. But it seemed that he was somewhat unnerved by the vicious treatment.
He’s a member of the Yankees so booing comes with the territory. But I’m sure
he didn’t expect that kind of treatment at an event that is supposed to
celebrate the game and be a fun display for the fans. And he sure didn’t
deserve it.
I’ve never
been to St. Louis or Kansas City before and I’ve always wanted to go,
especially to St. Louis, which is known to be a great baseball town. But after
their behavior over the last few months, I think I’ll spend my travel dollars
elsewhere.
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