Monday was full of odd moments around the major leagues. Florida's Emilio Bonifacio hit the first Opening Day inside-the-park homer since 1968, Diamondback teammates Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark each hit home runs from both sides of the plate and there was nearly a forfeit in Toronto.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland pulled his team off the field during the eighth inning after two baseballs thrown from the stands nearly hit left fielder Josh Anderson. An announcement was made, telling fans to calm down or they'd risk forfeiting a 12-5 Blue Jays lead. Eventually the game proceeded, and Leyland was philosophical about it after the contest.
"Ice-cold Labatt’s and a big win for the Blue Jays, they were having a great time," Leyland said. “But you can’t endanger any players, whether they’re you’re players or someone else’s, you just can’t do it."
You have to wonder if the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will feel the same way. Because of "certain past events," the government agency suspended the liquor license for the Rogers Centre for a pair of Jays games this season, including Tuesday night's game against the Tigers. Nice timing there, Jays fans.
It would be easy to hem and haw about how a few bad apples are doing their best to ruin games for those of us who can responsibly enjoy a pint or two, but let's take another tack. Why not turn it into Prohibition night at the ballpark? The teams could wear 1920's uniforms, you could have one of Elliot Ness' relatives throw out the first pitch and turn a few of the luxury suites into speakeasies.
Yes, yes, we know Canada didn't have Prohibition and intrepid bootleggers brought spirits from the north to satiate our need for a nip here and there. But if the government's gonna give you lemons, why not make some lemonade? And, drunken louts of Toronto, try not to spike that lemonade and continue working toward the first dry ballpark in the major leagues.
