Diaz guards outfield
Pirates outfielder Matt Diaz is one opposing player who is held in high esteem by the home crowd, or at least the group that protects the crowd.
Pirates outfielder Matt Diaz is one opposing player who is held in high esteem by the home crowd, or at least the group that protects the crowd.
On Friday, Diaz was presented a Phillies security hat and shirt as appreciation for his effort last season in the "Spider-Man" incident while Diaz played for the Braves.
During the Phillies' 3-1 win over Atlanta on Sept. 20, a person dressed in a red Spandex outfit began running in the outfield. Diaz tripped the intruder and then security apprehended him.
"I always say if I hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of the World Series, I will still be known as the guy who tripped Spider-Man," Diaz said with a laugh.
Did he think of tackling the intruder instead of simply tripping him?
"Oh, yes, but it was a small figure and I thought it might be a girl and I didn't want to trounce a girl," Diaz said. "Phillies fans liked the leg sweep, but if I tackled a girl I would never hear the end of it."
- Marc Narducci
