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Pitcher Attacked Me Over 'Roids Remarks: Fan

Says Romero 'grabbed me by the neck and threw me back'

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2009 7:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – A Florida baseball fan says Philadelphia Phillies pitcher JC Romero attacked him over a few wisecracks about steroids, the St. Petersburg Times reports. Robert Eaton, 25, said he was soliciting Phillies players for autographs when he asked Romero for "some juice"—slang for steroids. Romero, recently suspended for 50 games for using a banned substance, told him to "shut the fuck up," Eaton said.

When Eaton reminded Romero of his suspension, the reliever "reared back and kinda grazed my chin and grabbed me by the neck and threw me back," the father of two said. "I was in shock." Asked later about the incident, Romero said, "What'd he say—that he was drunk and got into a fight? ... I'm not going to comment about it." Phillies officials confirmed an incident, but refused to name the player involved.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher J.C. Romero reacts in a baseball game Saturday, June 13, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher J.C. Romero pumps his fist as he walks off the mound on June 28, 2008, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

This is a 2008 file photo showing Philadelphia Phillies baseball player J.C. Romero. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

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I feel if you cheat the game you're going to hear it from people. He brought that on himself. I just can't believe that a professional athlete would cross the line. - Robert Eaton, baseball fan
who claims Philadelphia Phillies
reliever JC Romero assaulted him

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Pitcher Attacked Me Over 'Roids Remarks: Fan