Saturday’s Guardians game against the Yankees ended on a bottom of the ninth walk-off single.
But it was what happened right after Gleyber Torres’ game-ending hit that made the news.
As the ball landed in the outfield gap and bounced off the wall between Myles Straw and Oscar Mercado, trash suddenly rained down.
A lot of it.
New York Yankees fans are the epitome of class pic.twitter.com/hy0UGpLxzS
— Marc Luino (@GiraffeNeckMarc) April 23, 2022
Beginning as a slow drizzle, fans from the back wall poured bottles and debris.
Mercado himself was none too pleased, yelling back at fans, which only seemed to rile them up more, causing more trash to be thrown onto the field.
The situation grew so intense that an umpire had to escort Mercado away from the fans, covering his head to protect him from debris.
After the Guardians had cleared from the field, Giancarlo Stanton and a few other Yankee players went to the outfield to calm the fans.
Postgame Reaction
After the game, Straw provided his take on the Yankees fanbase, telling the world what most everyone was already thinking.
Myles Straw doesn't like Yankee fans. pic.twitter.com/r4veX7G85k
— The 3-0 Take | MLB Podcast (@the30takepod) April 23, 2022
After Straw’s “classless” comment, the word was briefly trending on Twitter.
fans of the #Yankees are trending! pic.twitter.com/NuKkLxfa1C
— The Goof Stands with Ukraine!™ 🇺🇦 (@MetsFanInPhilly) April 23, 2022
Fan Response
And, given the fact trash was thrown onto the field, it didn’t take long for fans to make the connection between point A and point B.
Yankee fans right now….#Yankees #Classy pic.twitter.com/WVdwc1FwLc
— Mike Dawg$ 🏈 (@Brownie_Insider) April 23, 2022
The 2022 Nike City Connect New York Yankees gear just dropped. pic.twitter.com/UIZpHBdxMD
— Uncle Shams (MLB Insider) (@HipsterTito) April 24, 2022
Some couldn’t help but note the irony between the on-field scene and the sounds blaring through the sound system post-game.
Yankees fans throwing trash at Cleveland players after a win while Sinatra sings “If I can make it here I can make it anywhere” over the loudspeakers. New York City is back, baby!
— Jason Diamond (@imjasondiamond) April 23, 2022
For some especially well-connected fans, the Yankees fans’ antics came as little surprise.
Will never forget it:
At Yankee Stadium. Back in 2006, my 14 year old self, and the rest of the family section full of little kids was dumped tons of food and beer on our heads for simply cheering for our families.
Not sure what it is about trash throwing there
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) April 23, 2022
Oh, please. In 1986 they threw exacto knife blades out of the upper deck at the Angels. This is trivial by contrast. These are the entitled/Bridge and Tunnel/trash Yankee fans. https://t.co/hPIcbk6OJQ
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) April 23, 2022
What will be interesting is how the Yankees and MLB respond to the incident.
Could the fans be in line for a stadium ban, like NBA teams generally hand out?
Potentially.
Could the MLB come down on Mercado for engaging with the fans?
Also potentially.
Defending the Fans
And then came the tough takes.
The entrenched Yankee fans who defended their fans for their behavior.
Some went with the “few bad apples” defense.
This is a good reminder that those idiots don't represent all Yankees fans and we can all agree they're embarrassing to fandom in general. https://t.co/emNgJD0NeP
— Ashley MacLennan (@90feetfromhome) April 23, 2022
And still others called for, of all things, Straw’s head.
Myles Straw should be suspended for 5-7 games at minimum
— 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐄 (@FrankiesTwoLoud) April 23, 2022
Earlier in the game, Straw did climb the back wall (in an incredible Spiderman impersonation) to face off with a few fans for their treatment of Steven Kwan.
And while one might like a player to operate “above the fray,” Straw deserves credit for defending his teammate.
Yankee fans are absolute trash, love @myles_straw having his teammates back
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) April 23, 2022
Thankfully, both teams condemned the behavior after the game.
Fallout?
The Guardians still have one game left at Yankee Stadium.
It sure will be interesting to see if any of the Guardians retaliate for the fans’ behavior.
Once upon a time, a pitcher might intentionally hit the first batter of the game, according to the “old school rules.”
Sunday’s contest will feature Gerrit Cole returning to the mound against Aaron Civale.
Hopefully, the Guards can take the rubber match game, escaping New York with a win (and maybe leave behind a recycling bin?).
Unfortunately for Yankees fans, the trash-throwing might have been the second-most questionable thing that happened at the stadium.
Yankee fans need to be canceled forever pic.twitter.com/mhiAjYydMh
— 10,000 Takes (@10k_Takes) April 24, 2022
You’ve heard of pigs in a blanket?
What about pigs in a biergarten?
The Sunday game at Yankee stadium begins at 1:35 EDT.
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