Baseball Fan Sues Pitcher in 2002 Ruckus

A Giants fan who allegedly was slugged by a former St. Louis Cardinal player in a postgame ruckus during the 2002 National League playoffs has sued the Cardinals and the now-unemployed pitcher for $11.5 million.

David Richardson, 36, of South San Francisco says he missed six months of work, lives in constant pain and may need neck fusion surgery because of the blow from pitcher Garrett Stephenson.

The incident happened outside Pacific Bell Park on Oct. 13, 2002, after the Giants won 4-3. Richardson was in a crowd of fans who were pounding on the Cardinals’ bus. He said Stephenson emerged, the two men exchanged vulgar hand gestures and then Stephenson punched him in the head.