Alex Rios on Youtube

J-Roc · Post #1 » by **J-Roc** » Fri Jun 5, 2009 9:34 pm

Telling of some jacka$$ who was calling him a bum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt9hRCthV8E

chargerxthirty · Post #2 » by **chargerxthirty** » Fri Jun 5, 2009 9:59 pm

woooooowwww..

im friggin shocked. dont know how to react to that one. jesus.

Im kinda embarassed, mad, understanding all at once.

Post #3 » by **tsherkin** » Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:58 pm

I want to be mad about this because Rios has been less than stellar this year, but really, he was antagonized by a fan and responded in a way that many adults would. I probably would have had a few choice things to say too. It sucks that he got filmed doing it, but he responded appropriately after the fact.

Sucks that things got piled on after a bad day and he should know better but it happens.

Luv 4 da game · Post #4 » by **Luv 4 da game** » Fri Jun 5, 2009 11:02 pm

Jays’ Rios apologizes for tirade caught on YouTube

TORONTO (AP)—Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios(notes) apologized Friday after he was caught on video yelling profanities at a fan.

The incident, which was posted on YouTube, happened Thursday night as Rios was leaving a gala dinner for the Blue Jays’ charity.

Rios is seen walking to his car along with a woman after the event when he appears to ignore an autograph request from a young fan. An older man yells at Rios, saying “The way you played today Alex, you should be lucky somebody wants your autograph.”

Rios responds with a profanity, then swears again after the fan calls him “a bum.”

Rios struck out five times in five at-bats in a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. He matched a club record by striking out in seven consecutive at-bats and is 0 for his last 10.

Read more here

silverhill27 · Post #5 » by **silverhill27** » Fri Jun 5, 2009 11:48 pm

not saying the heckler was right but Alex should of just signed the autograph for the kid

Peteros · Post #6 » by **Peteros** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 12:58 am

Using the F word in front of a child that you just snubbed for an autograph request. How classy Rios.

BasketballAbyss · Post #7 » by **BasketballAbyss** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 1:19 am

The heckler was out of line...but at the same time I've heard a lot of stories about Rios. I know a couple of people who are seasons ticket holders and they've told me that Rios is a pompous jerk. They met him at a meet and greet and he wasn't very friendly or apporachable. That video seems to support that claim. Then again, this is just from their experience...so who knows.

ElectricMayhem · Post #8 » by **ElectricMayhem** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 2:07 am

I'm a Tigers fan. I came in here assuming people would be in line with the media's perspective that Rios went on some tirade. I'm glad you're all more level headed than that. I don't have any sort of affinity toward Alex Rios, but he is being mischaracterized here (or correctly characterized on the wrong basis).

But yeah, not knowing anything about Rios' personality, he was the 2nd most culpable person in the video. Was the "You're a bum!" guy also seeking autographs? Because he seems like one of those types who has a table at a convention. I think he's just trying to use the kid as guilt bait to get Alex to sign his autograph.

What's with people wanting autographs, anyway? If you want to meet a baseball player because you respect him, shake his hand, or say hello. That's quicker for both of you and the athlete doesn't end up with an indentation on his middle finger. An illegible name on paper. What's the intrigue? Even when I was a kid, I got Steve Smith's autograph at elementary school. He's a great basketball player, local "hero", and I respect him, but the autograph just got shoved in a drawer. It's something I'll never understand.

"Don't forget where you came from!"

Anyone notice that ambiguous line thrown in there? It could mean, "Don't forget you used to be normal autograph-lusting folk like us", or it could have had racial overtones. I hope it's the former.

Lastly, I like the kid's attempt at adding his own insult to the mix. "You're batting average...." Yeah, think it out in your head before you say it, kid.

Again, I'm not saying Rios is not a pompous jerk, as has been intimated in this thread, I'm just saying this video isn't necessarily evidence of it, and it speaks more to the "you're a bum!" guy than Rios.

Post #9 » by **Geddy** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 4:24 am

GenshiYagyu wrote:I'm a Tigers fan. I came in here assuming people would be in line with the media's perspective that Rios went on some tirade. I'm glad you're all more level headed than that. I don't have any sort of affinity toward Alex Rios, but he is being mischaracterized here (or correctly characterized on the wrong basis).

But yeah, not knowing anything about Rios' personality, he was the 2nd most culpable person in the video. Was the "You're a bum!" guy also seeking autographs? Because he seems like one of those types who has a table at a convention. I think he's just trying to use the kid as guilt bait to get Alex to sign his autograph.

What's with people wanting autographs, anyway? If you want to meet a baseball player because you respect him, shake his hand, or say hello. That's quicker for both of you and the athlete doesn't end up with an indentation on his middle finger. An illegible name on paper. What's the intrigue? Even when I was a kid, I got Steve Smith's autograph at elementary school. He's a great basketball player, local "hero", and I respect him, but the autograph just got shoved in a drawer. It's something I'll never understand.

"Don't forget where you came from!"

Anyone notice that ambiguous line thrown in there? It could mean, "Don't forget you used to be normal autograph-lusting folk like us", or it could have had racial overtones. I hope it's the former.

Lastly, I like the kid's attempt at adding his own insult to the mix. "You're batting average...." Yeah, think it out in your head before you say it, kid.

Again, I'm not saying Rios is not a pompous jerk, as has been intimated in this thread, I'm just saying this video isn't necessarily evidence of it, and it speaks more to the "you're a bum!" guy than Rios.

I have to agree with what you said there.

I think sometimes people hold athletes to standards that are too high. We want them to be squeaky clean but at the end of the day, after the final out or the final whistly these guys are just regular guys. I think I'd be pretty pissed after having a bad day, heaps of pressure, and then having a guy shouting at me on the street. Yeah Alex could have handled it better by walking away quietly but I don't blame him for what happened.

And the "don't forget where you came from" did seem to have racial undertones because i do hear something along the lines of "get out of the country".

Mustard_Tiger · Post #10 » by **Mustard_Tiger** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 4:42 am

I don't blame Rios for doing what anybody else would have done (especially with the guy throwing out slightly racist barbs). I also don't think his words are anything that most kids wouldn't hear on a playground every day.

GswStorm3 · Post #11 » by **GswStorm3** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 6:29 am

Thank god Sabean wasn't dumb enough to trade Lincecum for him. How immature can he be for responding to that guy and treating that kid like crap.

Mustard_Tiger · Post #12 » by **Mustard_Tiger** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 9:31 am

GswStorm3 wrote:Thank god Sabean wasn't dumb enough to trade Lincecum for him. How immature can he be for responding to that guy and treating that kid like crap.

Athletes are normal people with normal reactions just like anybody else. Again, I don't blame him.

Also, if you want the guy's autograph, get it at the game, not out on a street.

youngLion · Post #13 » by **youngLion** » Sat Jun 6, 2009 3:06 pm

Well this obviously isn't too professional but he reacted pretty normally really. Sometimes people delude themselves into thinking that they own public figures. Just because Alex Rios struck out five times doesn't give random people the right to accost him in public.

evilRyu · Post #14 » by **evilRyu** » Sun Jun 7, 2009 3:36 pm

the link provided in the OP isn't working........ here's an updated one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt9hRCthV8E

Honestly, I'm a bit hurt by it... I am an Alex Rios fan, and seeing that disappoints me. I honestly do not blame Alex for acting like that, he had a bad day.. it's just so unfortunate that it was caught on video.. That fan should not be verbally attacking him like that, but that's what happens when you become a pro athlete.

Boner Champ · Post #15 » by **Boner Champ** » Sun Jun 7, 2009 5:57 pm

You know, I felt the same way as a lot of people here - trying to give Rios the benefit of the doubt, especially after watching the clip once.

But after watching it again, the fans' remarks were clearly in response to the actions of Rios not signing the autograph, and it was only after Rios swore in front of the child that the fan got antagonistic.

Rios' days in Toronto would probably be over if he was at least earning his contract.

Post #16 » by **Crowned** » Sun Jun 7, 2009 7:53 pm

Are people actually defending Rios here? Athlete or not, you simply don't swear infront of children. Rios isn't a child, and it doesn't matter if he was provoked, you don't respond that way...sorry.

Here's a scenerio for you; you're walking down the street, and someone calls you a 'bum' for whatever reason (pick one)...do you confront them and curse at them with children around? No. You be an adult, and ignore it.

Time to grow up Rios.

Post #17 » by **Crowned** » Sun Jun 7, 2009 7:57 pm

Mustard_Tiger wrote:I don't blame Rios for doing what anybody else would have done (especially with the guy throwing out slightly racist barbs). I also don't think his words are anything that most kids wouldn't hear on a playground every day.

Irrelevant.

As an adult, you shouldn't be using that sort of language infront of a child you don't know. What if a kid wasn't exposed to that sort of language?

I haven't watched the video, so I don't know how old the kid was. What if he was younger (say 5 years old), would it still be ok?

Modern_epic · Post #18 » by **Modern_epic** » Sun Jun 7, 2009 9:11 pm

Yeah, the 50s were a nice time, if you ignore the sexism and racism.

You don't think the kid has ever seen a movie or ten with profanity? Most comedies have it these days. Swearing in front of kids over ten happens these days. A lot. It isn't a cardinal sin.

Is it classy? No. But since the kid is old enough to be waiting outside the ROM in the middle of downtown Toronto when it is clearly at least 9 PM, but probably considerably later, there are much worse things you can expose him to. Like maybe something along the lines of heckling someone on the street when they are leaving a charity event.

lemondrop · Post #19 » by **lemondrop** » Mon Jun 8, 2009 12:32 am

Was always a Rios fan but after this I think he should be run out of town, disgusting display by not signing the autograph for the kid and them proceeding to throw f bombs while the kid stood there.

Dude can GTFO out of my country

Avenger · Post #20 » by **Avenger** » Mon Jun 8, 2009 1:27 am

Wow, so many do goodies here with their self righteous bull. Its about time this city learns to stop expecting their sports stars to be super human. Alex clearly was dealing with a lot things on his mind and he had no patience for the morons this city has to offer on that day. I absolutely don't see what was so bad about that?