Tropicana Field fan says he was assaulted by Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero, Phillies looking into "alleged incident"

UPDATE, 5:05: Romero initially told Philadelphia reporters he didn't want to comment. Asked by a Daily News reporter if he wanted to hear the accusation, Romero replied:   "What'd he say. That he was drunk and got into a fight?. . .I'm not going to comment about it.  I'm trying to be professional and I don't really want to get into that. Don't make a story out of nothing."   "I don't know what's going on. I'm just finding out through you guys."

UPDATE, 2:14: A New Port Richey man says he was assaulted by a Philadelphia Phillies player following Thursday's game against the Rays.

Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old father of two, said Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero grabbed him by the neck and pushed him after he made a comment about steroids.

For more on the story, click here.

NEWS:  After the Times reported Saturday of an incident between an unnamed Phillies player and a fan at Tropicana Field after Thursday's game at the Trop, the Phillies today issued this statement:

"We're disappointed to learn about the alleged incident with a Rays fan and one of our players following Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field. We are in the process of gathering all of the details surrounding the situation. Until such information is provided, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time."

The Times reported Saturday:

An incident took place between a fan and a Phillies player after Thursday's game, the Rays confirmed. ''At this point it is a police matter and for that reason we won't have any further comment," the team said in a statement, but did not identify the player. St. Petersburg Police officials could not be reached late Friday night, but a dispatcher confirmed that a report for a battery call was taken at the stadium at about 11 p.m. Thursday. The Phillies could not be reached for comment.

Comments

[Paul]

Most likely another over imbibing loud mouth that should have been controlled by security before this happened.

He will now sue and find some Ambulance chasing bottom feeding lawyer who will take his case.

He started the fight with his loud mouth and should just go away.

[Kegsters]

We were there and Security did nothing when the fan was mouthing off. He even was shoving the security guards. Lets check his ticket stub to see if he even belonged down there near the field. He had a Rays Jersey on and was only there start something,and obviously had one too many beers. Typical Tampa fan out of control and security does nothing. I have been to Hockey, football and baseball games over there and its always the same. Tampa fans do not know the game and are aweful fans. No doubt I blame this whole situation on Security and the drunk fan. We need to find his address and post it on the internet so our Philly fans in Tampa can give this idiot what J.C should have given him. A Beat down.

[mdiddy80]

Is anybody surprised by this story? Like their fans, the Phillies have had a culture of drugs and alcohol in their clubhouse for decades. This is just another sad chapter for this team. Roid rage to the hilt. You just have to wonder how many others on last year's team were on PEDs too. And surely not Ibanez (DL) this year. Riiiiiight.

[ReyL]

Just because you buy a ticket, it doesn't give you the right to act like a jack**s. If you wouldn't say it on the street, you shouldn't say it in the stands either. Sounds like this drunk fool got what he deserved.

[WTF]

After reading the full story, it sounds like he provoked a guy who is likely to have "roid rage". Unfortunate situation, but really shouldn't be surprised at the outcome.

[skp]

wow this is very clear and detailed