I think Alex Rios has amazing tools as a baseball player... and playing the part, he also acted like a tool coming out of a charity function at the ROM last Thursday night.
Sure he was heckled. Sure he was insulted. Sure he has the right to privacy just like the rest of us. But as a million dollar athlete he's a public figure who was out in public AND still emanating SUCK after a very public and of course pathetic 5 strikeout effort earlier that day. No, Rios doesn't have to sign stuff for anyone. And no, fans don't have to be nice to him, but the combo, while legal and acceptable on both sides, is toxic, as demontrated following Rios' snub of a kid seeking a quick swipe of the pen.
It was bound to happen
Rios appeared set on not obliging any autograph requests that night. The guy heckling seemed to know exactly what he wanted to say. It wasn't exactly a meeting of the minds, but this what athletes will face from time to time, especially if they're either viewed as not good citizens or not quality producers in which ever sports realm they compete. Can't say I blame that fan for voicing his displeasure. I don't even blame Rios for firing back. I do blame and say "shame" to anyone who feels the exchange is somehow below what we do here in Canada. Passion persists here too, even if its ugly.
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