Blue Jays apologize to Orioles for 'embarrassing' beer-tossing incident
The day after Edwin Encarnacion's extra-inning heroics sent Toronto to the ALDS, the Blue Jays were forced to navigate an embarrassing PR situation, issuing an apology to the Baltimore Orioles after a fan tossed a beer can at left fielder Hyun Soo Kim in the seventh inning of the American League wild-card game.
"On the heels of one of the most competitive and exhilarating baseball games in our club's history, it is extremely unfortunate that the irresponsible actions of one individual would detract from the game on the field, and tarnish an otherwise memorable night," the statement read.
"We would like to offer our sincere apologies and regrets to the entire Baltimore Orioles organization, its manager and players, as well as Major League Baseball for this embarrassing incident."
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Heightened security measured and alcohol policies will also be introduced, the team said, "to ensure the fan experience and safety of everybody involved."
The club added they're "cooperating with the authorities to identify the individual involved, and the individual responsible is not welcome back to the stadium." On Wednesday morning, Toronto police encouraged the perpetrator to turn him/herself in, and said they have pictures of the individual responsible.
Inside the Orioles' clubhouse, more than one player was hoping the fan would be caught and prosecuted.
"I hope they find the guy and press charges," Adam Jones told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. "(Kim) wasn't looking, and you can hit him in the back of the head and you never know what could happen. That's a full beer being thrown. That's not part of the sport. To put us in harm's way when all we're doing is focusing on the game, that's not part of baseball. Throw an octopus. Throw hats. Do something like that."
"It's a shame some idiot would decide to do that," added catcher Matt Wieters said. "There's no point in having a guy like that in the stands. I hope some sort of charges are pressed against the guy, because that was close to doing some damage."