The new Philly hero: Matt Diaz, foiler of Red Man (with video)
"Down goes Red Man! Down goes Red Man!" (AP photo)
Philadelphia — Patrons at an Eagles game infamously pelted Santa Claus with snowballs, but Philly fans weren’t booing Matt Diaz. On the contrary, the Braves’ outfielder became a local hero for his sidling takedown of an individual who has come already to be known as Red Man. (Not to be confused with Mark Redman, former lousy Braves’ pitcher.)
Seventh inning, Monday night, Jayson Werth batting: Red Man, clad in red spandex head-to-toe, capers from the left-field stands and heads across the outfield. Watching from the press box, you could see that Diaz, stationed in left, thought about impeding Red Man’s progress but decided against it.
Then, when security forces arrived and forced Red Man back left but started slipping in their pursuit, Diaz took matters unto his own hip.
He blindsided Red Man. Stuck out his right leg and Red Man went flying. “He got right up, but then the security guy crushed him,” Diaz said afterward.
Diaz was the postgame focal point in the Braves’ clubhouse because an intruding fan here had been tasered by a security man earlier this season. “I saw the cop coming with the Taser,” Diaz said. “I figured the guy would rather have me trip him than get tased.”
Wait a second, a Philly writer asked: Did he really see someone with a Taser? (I told you: They take this seriously up here.) “No,” Diaz said. “I was kidding.”
Diaz’s stated motivation: He remembered a Braves’ security guard getting hurt in a similar chase a while back. “I wanted to spear [Red Man] so bad, but I didn’t want to get hurt and I didn’t want to hurt him. I just stuck out my foot and he hit it.”
I asked if Red Man had, in their moment of close proximity, revealed his secret identity. “No,” Diaz said. “I’m sure the judge will find it.”
Red Man’s reaction to being tripped? He was shocked, Diaz said, adding that he could see the mystery man’s wide eyes through the costume.
And the Philly fans? They cheered Diaz, who tipped his cap. And who told reporters afterward: “They were very complimentary. I heard everything from, ‘I just put you on YouTube‘ to a girl with an ‘Utley marry me’ sign say, ‘I’ll marry you, too.’ ”
Speaking of YouTube … here you go.
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227 comments Add your comment
PoconoPhils
September 21st, 2010
12:12 pm
As previously stated, the reason Santa got pelted was b/c he was drunk. Not to let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Not to condone, but Drew dissed us first. And had it been anyone but Michael Irvin…. Look at the hand that Marlins rookie got when he pulled up lame after pitching a gem in his big-league debut. While we may not treat the villains with kid gloves, we know who the heroes are. WTG, Matt Diaz! Drinks are on us!
Btw, the longest sustained ovation for any player in Philly history was for Mario Lemieux (in his last game), who, ohbytheway, played for Pittsburgh.
The Reverend Earl W. Bedpan IV
September 21st, 2010
12:12 pm
Thou shall not covet my wife……Unless you have $150, then I will look the other way.
ketchupdad
September 21st, 2010
12:13 pm
That’s right, 12 year old name. The Phillies are giving away all those tix to the unemployed. You’re a bright fellow.
Dr. Greenthumb
September 21st, 2010
12:18 pm
With the way he was able to elude all those security personnel in hot pursuit, do you think that man in the red costume was Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles?
His herpes sores would have blended right in with that red fabric.
batrol
September 21st, 2010
12:24 pm
A serious question here: DO THE PHILLIES EVER LOSE??????? Good god. It’s getting old already. At least to this Braves fan.
Michael in Dunwoody
September 21st, 2010
12:25 pm
To all Philly fans: we’ll stop mocking you for booing Santa Claus and throwing batteries when you stop rehashing arguments about not selling out games. See what I did there?
We’re all real impressed your fans (finally) support your team, but in case you haven’t noticed, no one cares, or notices, outside of Philly.
Good luck the rest of the way.
Farnsworth
September 21st, 2010
12:27 pm
Bring back the tasers and way to go Matt!
Phillies, Class of the NL
September 21st, 2010
12:27 pm
batrol, not in September, they are on a mission that will not be derailed
Phillies, Class of the NL
September 21st, 2010
12:28 pm
everyone cares about the Phillies Michael, they are the Class of the National League and soon to be 2010 World Champs
Heisenberg
September 21st, 2010
12:30 pm
I would love to see Braves take division, but have much respect for Phillies ever since their players risked injury to help the grounds crew in Colorado with the tarp. It is not necessary to hate and belittle your opponent to want to beat them. That works both ways.
Mr. Obvious
September 21st, 2010
12:32 pm
Pennsylvania has the ugliest women out of all the 50 States, followed closely by New Jersey, West Virginia and Tennessee.
If I was surrounded by that much ugliness and obesity, in addition to whatever hideousness I saw in my own mirror, I’d get drunk, throw batteries and try to make everyone else around me miserable, too.
VonZip
September 21st, 2010
12:33 pm
Would of been much better if we won the game instead of winning the Red Jump Suit man tripping contest. Thouroughly enjoyed watching Melky “did i just swing at that?” Cabbrerra continue his oh so strong hitting with RISP…. what is he like .053 with RISP?????
Michael in Dumbwoody
September 21st, 2010
12:34 pm
What did you do? Oh, yeah, remind everyone that less than 20,000 showed up last week when you were tied with the Phillies for first place. (oh, yeah, you had 30,000 tickets sold though, so that’s what counts, right?)
This is all we need to remind you: 14 consecutive post-season appearances. 1 World Series title.
Pierson Brave
September 21st, 2010
12:48 pm
Talk about a perfect time to be and idiot. The 0-2 count on Werth, then the circus and wouldn’t you know line drive to right after he was in a rut trying to guess the pitch. I say bring back the taisers on full stun. These jag-off’s need to learn that you don’t charge on to the field of play these days. Times have changed and so has the need to respond in kind.
Total momentum killer for our pitcher.
Roy Barnes
September 21st, 2010
12:52 pm
Glad Bobby will be gone! Who would start Rookie pitchers in the biggest games of the year!About as dumb as electing me as governor again!!
Pierce
September 21st, 2010
12:52 pm
Mark was it necessary for the whole throwing snowballs at santa? it was 42 years ago, 42!!!! you probably don’t even remember when it happened. be original. i think every “writer” in the nation uses this pathetic incident to slam philadelphia fans whenever something happens in philly. get some new material. plenty has happened since then.
just sayin……..
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:00 pm
I;M NOT SOLD ON MATT DIAZ. WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR THE BRAVES LATELY? HE;S HAS A BATTING AVERAGE OF 238. I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE BRAVES,BUT NOT HIM! PLAY SOMEBODY ELSE. I BET DALE MURPHY COULD STILL OUT HIT HIM, AND HE;S RETIRED.!
Heisenberg
September 21st, 2010
1:03 pm
Yo future Governor of Georgia, would you rather have had Kawacrummy out there? Or JoJo Reyes? Charlie Morton? The complain about trotting out the same old loosers?
Michael in Dunwoody
September 21st, 2010
1:04 pm
An imposter, with a sense of humor no less, I’m flattered. Again with the inconsequential attendance talk, no wonder the sports world continues to make fun of Philly fans.
Since you brought it up: 14 consecutive division titles + 1 World Series > 3 consecutive division titles + 1 World Series. Talk to me again when the Phillies set an unprecidented streak like the Braves did.
Tom
September 21st, 2010
1:05 pm
Diaz needs to work on his tripping technique.
Would’ve been hi-larious if the 3rd-base ump had run out there and pulled a yellow card on him.
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:05 pm
MAYBE MATT DIAZ CAN TAKE HITTING LESSON ;S FROM THE RED MAN.
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:14 pm
CHARLIE MANUAL WON;T BE PHILLIES MANAGER THAT LONG! NO NEED TO EVEN THINK ABOUT THE PHILLIES DOING THAT!
Pierce
September 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
where do you base this info on how lon manuel will be the manager?
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
I HOPE THE BRAVES CAN PULL ONE OUT TONIGHT! I DON;T CARE WHAT ESPN SAYS ! THE PHILLIES CAN;T KEEP WINNING. THEY WILL HIT A DRY SPILL SOON! GO BRAVES!!!!!!!
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
LOOK AT HOW OLD HE IS. I DON;T CARE WHAT ESPN SAYS . THE PHILLIES CAN;T GO ON WINNIG. THEY ARE GOING TO HIT A WALL SOON! GO BRAVES!!!!!!
R. Pitino
September 21st, 2010
1:27 pm
Now if Diaz and the rest of the Braves could just ‘take down’ the Phillies!
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
LOOK AT HOW OLD HE IS, AND YOU HAVE THE NEW YORK YANKEES, AND THE BRAVES TO GO THROUGH! PHILLIES CAN;T WIN ALL THE TIME! THEY ARE GOING TO HIT A WALL SOON! GO BR AVES!!!!!!
Pierce
September 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
hahaha… ok
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
I THINK IT;S GOING TO BE ANOTHER TIGHT GAME TONIGHT! I DON;T CARE WHAT ESPN SAYS! THEY ALWAY GO WITH THE TEAM THATS HOT. I STILL THINK THE BRAVES HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING! GO BRAVES!!!!!!
ward
September 21st, 2010
1:42 pm
I DON;T CARE WHAT ESPN SAYS THEY ALWAYS GO WITH THE TEAM THATS HOT! I STILL LIKE THE BRAVES CHANCES!!!!! GO GO BRAVES!!!!
heartofdarkness
September 21st, 2010
1:45 pm
One of my favorite Philadelphia stories involved the Easter egg hunt held at Fairmount Park. Philadelphians would come out to boo the kids who didn’t find any eggs.
Pierce
September 21st, 2010
1:45 pm
chances for what?
Redman Sucked
September 21st, 2010
1:49 pm
Sorry, Sid (@ 12:07), the MLB stats you cite simply prove Bradley’s point that Redman sucked. Lifetime ERA just a smidge below 5? Yowsers.
Philllies Rule
September 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
Quit shouting Ward you moron. You and that idiot running on the field should both be tasered. Enjoy Halliday tonight losers
ward
September 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
ANY THING CAN HAPPEN? LETS KOCK OUT THOSE PHILLIES TONIGHT! GO BRAVES!!!!!!
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
September 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
TO: Phillies, class of the NL, and other Phillies posters on here: If your fans are so great and dedicated why was one of the Phils players complaining in your newspaper after that 9th inning comback the other day vs the Gnats, that so many fans had already left? At least Braves fans are smart enough to know better than that. Heck, probably half of our wins have come in the last 3 innings! Philly Phans are Phickle!
JTH
September 21st, 2010
2:11 pm
Hopefully your next article is about the Braves beating Halladay.
ward
September 21st, 2010
2:13 pm
HOLLIDAY IS A GOOD PICHER,BUT THE BRAVS CAN BEAT HIM TOO! IT;S NOT AS HOPELESS AS IT LOOKS! GO BRAVES!!!!!
P Rose
September 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
JJ is hurt (again) and doesn’t want to pitch.
KK is awful and (thankfully) won’t be allowed to pitch.
MM gets thrown into the lion’s den tonight and HAS to pitch. Can the Braves win this series?
NN-OO.
21519148
September 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
Hey thupid that was the Jason Werth walk off game against the Nats .believe it or not some people do leave ballgames .but dont try and say that Phils fans roll out early.Dodger fans head for the gate in the 6th inning in La.did it look like Phils fans left early last night?at least their is fans in CBP
ward
September 21st, 2010
2:18 pm
PITCHERS CAN BREAK DOWN TOO! EVEN THE GOOD ONES CAN FOLD! IT COULD BE OUR NIGHT! SEE YOU LATER! GO BRAVES!!!!!!
P Rose
September 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
I guess Bradley banned me. What the heck did I do wrong??
ward
September 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
IT COULD HAPPEN THE BRAVES! THE BRAVES COULD BEAT HOLLADAY. THEY HAVE DONE IT BEFORE! SEE YOU LATER!! GO BRAVES!!!!!!
P Rose
September 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
Funny. When I write something about baseball it fails to post. But when I write something like “why don’t my posts show up,” it posts. Whatever. I give up.
Abraham Lincoln
September 21st, 2010
2:25 pm
When the Braves win out to win the East division; and when these purple monkeys fly out of my colon, I will feel a lot better!
Heisenberg
September 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
Holliday is a good left fielder for the Cards. Halladay is a good pitcher for the Philllies. I would like our chances if Holliday was pitching and Halladay was in LF.
Philllies Rule
September 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Ward: Did you skip school today dude? So you are on the computer while Mommy and Daddy are at work? Quit shouting dude. Enjoy Halliday tonight loser.
Philllies Rule
September 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
Why is it that half the time comments do not post on this board?
Pierce
September 21st, 2010
2:42 pm
Braves just better hope after the phillies clinch they just roll over for them in that final series or they may struggle to even get in the playoffs
Legend of Len Barker
September 21st, 2010
2:43 pm
Mark, MLB has already made a claim on the video and had it removed.
Not shocking in the least and I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did. Sheesh. The NFL and NBA have no problems with game footage being on YouTube (hockey isn’t a sport, so I can’t answer that one), but baseball seems to like being stuck with their head in the sand.
…
Let me correct that. You can still watch John Smoltz get hit by that foul ball in Fenway on YouTube, thus proving they are making some efforts to appease fans.