Violence at Dodger Stadium – Once Again!
The defending World Series champions did not get off to a very spectacular start as they went against the Los Angeles Dodgers where they lost three out of four matches. Below average performances in the bull-pen and a number of defensive miscues kept the
Giants from having an impressionable start this weekend. It would have been soon forgotten about as there’s still a long way to go in the tournament but the violence that erupted at Dodger Stadium left everybody shocked, scared and sad.
Apparently the sports fans decided to take the rivalry between the Giants and the Dodgers to new heights as they became physically violent. Two men in Dodger clothes gave Bryan Stow a beating that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. A Giants fan, Stow was left
in such a state that he had to be placed in a medically induced coma so his life could be saved. The Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa and the Mayor of San Francisco Edwin M. Lee, along with the police chiefs and officials from both cities condemned
the beating of Stow saying it was, “unconscionable behavior that will not be tolerated in either city. Once apprehended, the attackers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A statement which was signed by San Francisco’s police’s interim Chief Jeff Godown, Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck, Giants’ managing partner Billy Nuekom and Dodgers owner Frank McCourt stated that baseball is a family sport which has unified the
country after times of crisis and tragedy and that public safety is obviously the top priority for everyone. Clearly meaning that even a single act of random violence will not be accepted.
The rivalry between the two sides is historic and has always been a cause of interest in the game. Officials praised the rivalry but said that the only place rivalry is acceptable is on the field and that is where it should remain. “We call on our respective
citizens to stand together in honor of that rivalry as you have done throughout the years. Root hard for your teams, and do so with civility and common decency.”
At the time, everyone’s prayers are with Stow who is a 42-year-old paramedic from Santa Cruz. He was badly beaten in the stadium parking lot after a Dodgers victory on Thursday. There were two other men with him who were fortunately successful in escaping
the attackers but they escaped too.
Till now police have not arrested anyone or named any particular suspects although the Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich has offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who could help with substantial information that would lead to the arrest of the attackers.
Stow was put in a medically induced coma so it would help heal the head injuries he received after the assault. Doctors have said that they will have to wait till the swelling goes down in the brain. Only then would they be able to give information on his
status. According to them it is going to take a while for the swelling to reduce.
The saddest part of the incident is that the organisation of Dodger stadium has on many accounts turned a blind eye to events like these. It is because they know that thugs like the ones who beat up Stow will come in and spend money, which is profitable
for the stadium. The atmosphere at the stadium is such that parents keep their children far away from the fear of any unruly incidents breaking out.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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