http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...213403585.html
Life on the road can be dangerous for professional athletes. Unfortunately for Texas Rangers reliever Tanner Scheppers, he found that out the hard way after the team arrived in Cleveland on Thursday night for their weekend series against the Indians.
According to Drew Davison of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Scheppers was attacked by a group of young males in downtown Cleveland after going out for a food run. The assault took place about two blocks away from the team's hotel, and as a result Scheppers was unavailable to pitch on Friday night after suffering a laceration near his left eye and experiencing headaches.
He was, however, cleared for action on Saturday, so it appears the attack won't have any lasting effects. That's good news for everybody, but especially for the Rangers. In 46 appearances this season, Scheppers has posted a 1.74 ERA and a 1.88 K/BB ratio. Those outstanding numbers helped earn him a spot in the American League's Final Vote for the All-Star game.
Here's more from the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram report:
"One of those freak things," Scheppers said. "I was just getting food and was blindsided. ... It's something you don't want to be talking about. You want to be talking about baseball things."
Scheppers said he was fortunate that he didn't suffer more serious injuries. He passed all concussion tests, but was shaken up by the incident and had a headache which kept him out of Friday's game.
Scheppers said he did not retaliate, saying: "I dropped like a sack of potatoes." The men then scattered, Scheppers said.
Sports Day DFW adds that a police report has been filed, but Scheppers was told by police that it was unlikely anybody would be apprehended. "They said it happens a lot, actually,” Scheppers added.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for downtown Cleveland, but I think there's a bigger lesson here for everyone and not just professional athletes. If you're not familiar with your surroundings, make an effort to travel in groups. I know a two block walk seems innocent enough, but trouble lurks everywhere and it doesn't take long to strike.
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Thread: Cleveland
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07-28-2013, 10:26 AM #1
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Cleveland
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07-28-2013, 11:21 AM #2
I thought Texas Rangers were supposed to carry guns.
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07-28-2013, 11:41 AM #3
I have lived in Cleveland over a month now and have yet to be jumped our threatened. I win.
If you think of me, I hope you think of me well and if you drink to me, don't drink cheap - Ken "Firehose" Akers (1/27/85 - 1/22/11)
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07-28-2013, 11:51 AM #4
What this thread needs is MOR.
...he went up late, and I was already up there.
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07-28-2013, 12:06 PM #5
I bet they were all Democrats.
Demographics is destiny.RIP Brian Dargin McCormick
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07-28-2013, 12:16 PM #6
All I can tell you is that me and my family have lived in Cleveland for over 28 years and my wife's family was born and bred here. We have 3 kids, 2 of which are married and there are 8 brothers and sisters of my wife, 57 first cousins, numerous aunts, uncles and spouses and girlfriends. We all go downtown, a lot, for ball games, the casino, Hilarities comedy club on East 4th, dinner at Michael Symon's Lola, and music concerts at House of Blues. We are having my daughter's wedding rehersal dinner and reception in downtown Cleveland.
NO ONE has ever been accosted or assaulted. I repeat, NO ONE. But that being said, it's a big city. Stuff can happen whether it is NY, Chicago, Houston or Cleveland. I'd like to know exactly where this assault took place, at what time it happened and what hotel the team was staying in. It doesn't excuse the crime, but if this guy's team gets into town at 1:00am and he is walking away from the Public Square, Prospect Ave and East 4th where the fun activity goes long into the night, then he's going the wrong direction.
By the way, most of the downtown restaurants provide delivery service to the downtown hotels. You're a well paid ball player. How about just calling for delivery? I also wonder if he was really just going out for "food"?"I Got CHAMPIONS in that Lockerroom!" -Stanley Burrell
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07-28-2013, 12:23 PM #7
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07-28-2013, 12:30 PM #8
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10pm, Public Square area (per the Plain Dealer) which means nothing to me since I'm largely unfamiliar with the downtown Cleveland area. Not sure what other high end hotels are near the ball park other than the Ritz; but you have to figure the team stayed somewhere like the Ritz or similar.
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07-28-2013, 12:57 PM #9
I don't understand why you quickly jump to this speculation, other than out of defensiveness over your city. It is quite likely that he heard there was a place to eat just a couple blocks away from the hotel and figured he might as well just walk, especially after being cooped up in a plane for hours. People do that all the time when staying at hotels.
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07-28-2013, 02:21 PM #10
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...t-a-bar-fight/
Never believe a guy with a black eye.
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