MLB investigates video of Angels' Anthony Rendon grabbing shirt of A's fan on Opening Day
Major League Baseball is investigating a video making the rounds on social media that appears to show Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon holding a fan by the shirt through the bleacher guardrails. The incident occurred on Opening Day in Oakland after the Angels' 2-1 loss to the Athletics.
In the video recorded from behind, Rendon looks to have quickly caught the shirt of the fan dressed in Athletics colors, who was leaning down toward the Angels player. With a smile, Rendon appears to confront the fan while still holding his shirt through the railing.
"What'd you say? Yeah, you called me b****, huh?" Rendon can be heard saying.
The fan's responses are unintelligible in the video. After saying, "Yeah, you did. Yeah, you did. Yeah, motherf*****," Rendon swipes in the fan's direction (without making contact) and walks away.
As most of Rendon's Angels teammates walked past the spectacle, Mike Trout can be seen observing the exchange.
(Warning: Video contains obscene language.)
Wow! Uncool! pic.twitter.com/FNRFWL46A0
— PetrosAndMoneyShow (@PetrosAndMoney) March 31, 2023
The Angels signed Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract as a free agent before the 2020 season. His 2022 season ended in June due to a right wrist injury that required surgery, and he also struggled with hip and hamstring issues.
The veteran third baseman was 0-for-3 in the Angels' Thursday night loss.
The Angels said Rendon would address the video Saturday, but he later declined comment due to the league's investigation. Angels general manager Perry Minasian and manager Phil Nevin also declined comment.
Anthony Rendon spoke to us today to say he could not comment on the incident because of the ongoing investigation. pic.twitter.com/AddYcKXYVb
— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) April 1, 2023
Despite the video and investigation, Rendon was in Saturday's starting lineup.