Texas Rangers fans gave it to Josh Hamilton in his return to the Ballpark in Arlington. Not only did Rangers fans boo the slugger in introductions and when he came to the plate Friday, but they also pretended to read the newspaper during his at-bat:
Hamilton went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts lowering his season average to .063 through four games. They cheered when strikes were called on him, and they gave a standing ovation when he punched out. The Rangers also scored two runs late in the game to comeback and beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2, which must have made things doubly awesome for the fans.
If you’re wondering why Rangers fans booed Hamilton, who was a five-time All-Star and one-time AL MVP during his five seasons with the team, there are several reasons.
Not only did Hamilton choose to sign with Texas’ AL West rival, but his wife also blamed the Rangers for letting her husband get away. Then Hamilton upset Texas fans by calling them “spoiled” and saying they are not true baseball fans.
Hamilton said after the game that the boos did bother him, but he is not backing down from his criticism of Rangers fans. He also jabbed them for being louder than ever just to boo him.
“I’m on a different team now, a division rival, I expect nothing less from the fans,” he told ESPN’s Pedro Gomez after the game. “I’ve never heard it louder here in any playoff game, any World Series game, so if that’s what it takes, get after if, fans.”
Gomez asked if Hamilton wanted to address his comments that the Dallas/Fort Worth area is not a baseball town.
“Stick to ’em. If they pack the house for the next 20 or 30 years, then I might say it’s a baseball town. It’s a football town.”
The reaction of the fans really should surprise us considering they were even booing Hamilton during his slump last season.
Below is a video showing the fans booing him during introductions:
Photo credit: Instagram/Molney11
