Toronto police have released a photo of a man wanted after a beer can was tossed at Baltimore Orioles outfielder during the Toronto Blue Jays American League wild-card game Tuesday.
With the score tied 2-2 in the seventh inning of the AL wild-card game, Jays pinch hitter Melvin Upton Jr. flied out to deep left field. But as Baltimore Orioles left fielder Hyun Soo Kim made the catch, he narrowly avoided being struck in the head by a beer can.
Orioles centre fielder Adam Jones could be seen angrily gesturing towards the crowd, and manager Buck Showalter came out of the dugout to speak with the umpire crew.
Toronto police said they were working closely with Rogers Centre security to identify the man and said they had “very clear images” of the suspect responsible for throwing the can of beer at Kim.
A photo of the suspect who allegedly hurled the can was released by police Wednesday evening and investigators are “strongly encouraging” him to seek legal advice and turn himself in.
Toronto Police Const. Jen Sidhu called the incident “upsetting” and not a true reflection of the city or Blue Jays fans.
Toronto Police & @RogersCentre investigating beer-toss @BlueJays/@Orioles game. #Unsportsmanlike fan: turn yourself in. We have photos. ^vk
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) October 5, 2016
Toronto Mayor John Tory also expressed his disgust at the incident calling the culprit a “loon-ball.” However, he noted that the person was just one of about 50,000 fans at the Rogers Centre.
Details of the incident grew uglier following the game after Jones said he was taunted with racial slurs.
Toronto police officers could be seen walking through the section where the incident occurred, but a Blue Jays spokesperson said the person was not ejected as they took off before police arrived.
Jays and baseball fans alike took to social media to quickly condemn the beer tossing and called for the person to be banned from the Rogers Centre.
Major League Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays said in a joint statement they were “extremely disappointed” by the incident.
Anyone with any information on this man, is asked to contact investigators at 52 Division by calling 416-808-5200.
Andrew Russell contributed to this report
Statement from the Toronto Blue Jays. pic.twitter.com/Ux7xdI89H6
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 5, 2016
Not sure what was shown on TV but the scene here at the Rogers Centre is madness and people are yelling racial slurs at Kim and Jones.
— Avi Miller (@AviMiIIer) October 5, 2016
Guy behind me just shouted "go back to your country Kim" in case you are wondering how the night has progressed here in Toronto.
— Avi Miller (@AviMiIIer) October 5, 2016
The beer throwing and racial taunting last night are a disgrace, and can't be allowed to continue. Need more security to stop it. #BlueJays
— Bob Rae (@BobRae48) October 5, 2016
Whoever threw that bottle needs a very long spell in jail.
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) October 5, 2016
No hyperbole: The person who tossed that in the Jays-Orioles game should be banned for life from every MLB stadium.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) October 5, 2016
To the moron who threw a beer during last night's #BlueJays game. Do not EVER come back. No place for this. An embarrassment to #Toronto.
— Jim Byers (@JimByersTravel) October 5, 2016
Did ANYONE identify the putz that threw the beer can? No pictures anywhere. We need to make sure he doesn't attend more games. #BlueJays
— Mark Hebscher (@Hebsyman) October 5, 2016
There are 49,933 spectators in good standing here to watch a big game + one ass-hat who threw that bottle from the left-field seats.
— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) October 5, 2016
It's not a Jays playoff run until an idiot throws something on the field
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) October 5, 2016
Hey, whatever happened to polite Canadians?
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 5, 2016
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