You knew this was bound to happen. And you knew this would be the likely reaction.
A fan wore a Miami Heat No. 6 LeBron James jersey to a Cleveland Indians game tonight against the New York Yankees. That's what some would consider a little low blow-ish. Well, a lot low blow-ish. Or just downright mean. And wouldn't you know it, the fan was escorted out by security.
Fans in the left-field bleachers chanted obscenities and pointed at the man Wednesday night during the sixth inning of the game. Hundreds of fans joined in before security led the man out of Progressive Field. It doesn't appear that he was asked to leave because of the jersey, but more because it was becoming a distraction and a possible safety concern.
As the fan exited, some Indians fans followed behind him toward the gate continuing to yell and chant not so nice things at him. Though as pictured, the fact he was "popping" the jersey might have justified the crowd's ire a bit. The guy clearly went to patronize the crowd, so it's hard not to agree that he got what he asked for.
I'm sure this won't be the last situation like this. LeBron's exit from Cleveland wasn't a pretty one so some looking to rile folks up have a prime opportunity to kick a city while it's down. Cleveland's a wounded dog and if you mess with it, it's going to bite you. Or yell awful things about your mother and throw beer at you. Same difference.
At this point, on a list of dangerous things to do, this would have to be right up there with swimming with sharks, running with the Bulls in Pamplona or skydiving with a paper sack for a parachute. Actually, this might be at the top of the list.
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So when LeBron told us he loved us, then left the way he did-- UNDERSTAND that I don't begrudge him leaving, it was the punka## way he want out (Not giving his team any heads up, for one thing, so they're left decimated)-- When he left the way he did, I dare say you, sitting there in whatever city you live in and whatever team you root for, you would be a bit raw and emotional about it. Picture Yzerman leaving the Wings in his prime, or Pujols leaving St. Louis, or Peyton Manning leaving the Colts. You think THOSE fans wouldn't be up in arms? You think there wouldn't be an incident like this (or worse)?
Bottom line is, I don't want to hear the "Oh look at those Cleveland fans, there they go again." Until you've walked a lifetime in my shoes, the lifetime where I root for all my teams and have ZERO championships at age 49, then I don't want to hear it. And yeah, I'm going to keep rooting for my teams. Not so easy when they stink, but I want to be first in line for championship gear when they do win it. That's what being a real fan is all about.
Well, that, and making fun of that idiot in the Heat jersey. And his skank girlfriend. Those two things, really.