sep 19, 2002 - Tom Gamboa

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Violence in sport

In 2002, the Kansas City Royals were facing the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field in a very routine match. Unexpectedly, two shirtless men charged Tom Gamboa, the Royals' first base coach. The two were separated from the 54-year-old coach by the Kansas City dugout, who had immediately scattered to help him. Gamboa had multiple scratches and bruises as well as lifelong hearing loss in his right ear; a pocket knife was discovered at the scene, and the attackers were led from the stadium into a police car. He told reporters that Gamboa got what he deserved as they were being led out of the field and that the first base coach had been taunting them all game. There was no evidence of this and all accusations were denied.

It wasn't until April of the following year that the Kansas City Royals played in Chicago again. When they did eventually come, it seemed as though the previously isolated incident of two terrible White Sox fans was turning into an epidemic. A baseball fan ran onto the field four times, causing the game to be delayed. In the most recent incident, an inebriated fan charged umpire Laz Diaz from the field. This incident has affected the way people can enjoy sports and leaves them fearful. What once was a harmless family tradition can now be dangerous for anyone involved due to the carelessness of others

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