Postgame Brawl That Left A's Fan Unconscious Is Latest Fan Violence Incident To Plague Giants Games
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The fight which left a woman unconscious following Thursday's San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park is just the latest serious incident of fan violence involving Giants fans in recent years.
Police say they took a suspect into custody in Sacramento related to Thursday's fight, which left a woman who was apparently trying to break up a fight unconscious. That woman was wearing the hat of the visiting Oakland A's as fans spilled out onto King Street following the finale of the Bay Bridge Series, with the A's winning three of four games. Her condition has not been updated since Thursday.
There have been several tragic fan incidents following Giants games in recent years.
No charges have yet been filed in the death of a man following a September 2013 death following a Dodgers-Giants game at AT&T Park. In March, The San Francisco District Attorney opted not to press charges against the primary suspect in the stabbing death of Dodger fan Johnathan Denver a few blocks from the ballpark.
In 2008, an 18-year-old man was killed after being punched in the temple during a Phillies-Giants game at AT&T Park. Anthony Giraudo - attending the game with friends - hit his head on the pavement, suffered severe brain damage and later died. The man who threw the punch eventually served eight months after a plea deal was reached.
In 2003, a Dodgers fan was shot and killed after a game between the traditional rivals at Dodger Stadium. The shooter in that crime was sentenced to at least 50 years in prison for first-degree murder a year later.
A civil ruling in the most public recent case involving Giants fans, the beating of Bryan Stow at Dodger's Stadium on Opening Day 2011, was just handed down this week. In that case, the Dodgers were orderd to pay a portion of the $18 Million settlement awarded to Stow, who was left with disabling brain damage after he was beaten in the parking lot of the stadium.
The Giants and Dodgers have repeatedly condemned violence surrounding their games, and have even employed undercover officers to be on the lookout for troublemakers.
The phenomenon is not limited to the post-game fervor of Major League Baseball games. In 2011, violence in the stands and parking lot marred a preseason game at Candlestick Park between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. The two teams have not played an exhibition game since.
