Erstad: Fans Not to Blame for Incident

No matter what was said or done to provoke Texas Ranger reliever Frank Francisco, who threw a folding chair into the Network Associates Coliseum crowd during an ugly melee in Monday’s game against the Oakland Athletics, Angel first baseman Darin Erstad does not pin blame for the incident on the fans.

“The way I look at it, we get paid very well to do what we do,” Erstad said. “If a guy has a bad day at work and wants to take it out on us, let us have it. If it makes you feel better, knock yourself out.”

Several Angel players, including relievers Troy Percival and Brendan Donnelly, said Oakland fans were notorious for “crossing the line” when it came to verbally abusing opposing players, especially near the visiting bullpen, where Monday’s altercation took place.

“They’re good at what they do,” Erstad said of A’s fans. “But you know what? They pay for their seat, they have a right to say whatever they want, as long as they don’t throw stuff. They can say anything. I don’t like it when they swear with young kids around, but I actually like playing in hostile environments.”

Every player, Angel reserve catcher Josh Paul said, “has a breaking point, no matter how Zen-like you strive to be.” But of the handful of Angels interviewed, none said he could justify throwing a chair at a fan.

“It’s an intense time of year, and the fire is burning in guys,” Erstad said. “I’d like to think I’d hold my composure, but if certain things were said that were personal ... I don’t know.”

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The Angels and A’s have switched the starting times of two games so they can be televised nationally by Fox.

The Sept. 25 game in Angel Stadium, originally scheduled for 7 p.m., will start at 1 p.m., and the Oct. 2 game in Oakland, scheduled for 6 p.m., will start at 1 p.m.