Jurickson Profar had quite the day during Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium this Sunday.
As left fielder for the San Diego Padres, Profar made an incredible play, robbing a home run early in the game. Later on, during the Padres’ 10-2 victory, he found himself on the receiving end of thrown objects from fans — including baseballs!
After the game, Profar seemed to enjoy the win despite the chaos. He noted that while he wasn’t hit by anything, it was unnerving to have objects flying near him. “When you’re standing on the field like that and things are being thrown at the back of your head, it’s a little scary,” he admitted.
The situation escalated in the seventh inning, prompting umpires to escort Profar and fellow outfielders Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. toward the infield as stadium security attempted to restore order, resulting in a 10-minute game delay.
Profar shared with MLB Network that this wasn’t the first time he faced such fan antics. He recalled that during Game 1, when the Dodgers won 7-5, fans seemed ready to throw things but held back while their team was ahead. “If we were winning, I think they would’ve done the same,” he speculated.
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Amid the drama, Profar made a stark contrast between Dodger fans and those from San Diego. “We’re not throwing stuff on the field,” he stated. “San Diego fans, we just cheer.”
Padres manager Mike Shildt echoed this sentiment, calling the fans’ behavior “unacceptable” and prioritizing player safety in the chaos. He emphasized his expectations for the home crowd to “stay classy, San Diego.”
Mike Shildt calls fans throwing objects on the field “unacceptable”. Says he expects the fans at Petco Park will “stay classy, San Diego”
— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) October 7, 2024
On a brighter note, Profar’s homer-robbing catch in the first inning was a highlight. He jumped high into the stands to snag what Mookie Betts thought was a sure home run. “I always wanted to do that,” Profar said, clearly thrilled that he could pull it off during such an important postseason game.
Despite the fan turmoil, Profar kept his cool, simply playfully pretending the ball landed among the fans before tossing it back to the infield. While fan antics can get a bit wild, it’s clear that at least one player is focused on keeping the game respectful and enjoyable.
The best-of-five series will head back to Dodger Stadium only if it goes the distance!