The already contentious relationship between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks got worse this week after another Los Angeles fan at Chase Field was asked to put on an Arizona jersey.
The incident occurred Sunday, during the NL West rivals' afternoon clash in Phoenix. A fan can be seen on the broadcast behind home plate wearing a blue Dodgers' shirt and cap. During the game the fan is given a Diamondbacks jersey and asked to change.
Here's the clip:
AZ back at it! @DodgersReddit @DodgersNation @PetrosAndMoney @dylanohernandez @rbaly79 pic.twitter.com/zjhdhgivze
— Steven Gomez (@Bleeedblue_) April 12, 2015
The Diamondbacks released a statement about the incident, essentially saying ticket buyers enter into an agreement that if they are sitting behind home plate they will either wear Diamondbacks gear or neutral colors.
[1/3] Dbacks spokesman re: the fan who switched from Dodgers to Dbacks gear behind home plate yesterday:
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 13, 2015
[2/3] "at the time of purchase, we ask that those fans sitting in the home plate box ...
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 13, 2015
[3/3] "... which is visible on TV, wear either neutral colors or D-backs attire which the team will provide."
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 13, 2015
This isn't the first time a Dodgers fan has been hassled at a Diamondbacks game. In each of the past two seasons Arizona has made a stink about a Los Angeles fan wearing blue inside Chase Field.
Deadspin reached out to the Diamondbacks after one such incident in 2013, and this was the club's response:
"Due to the high visibility of the home plate box, we ask opposing team's fans when they purchase those seats to refrain from wearing that team's colors. During last night's game, when Ken Kendrick noticed the fans there, he offered them another suite if they preferred to remain in their Dodger gear. When they chose to stay, he bought them all D-backs gear and a round of drinks and requested that they abide by our policy and they obliged."
Here's to hoping "Marlins Man" makes his way to Phoenix, because we doubt he'll budge.
On a lighter note, this appears to be another instance of life imitating art, as these incidents bear a striking resemblance to a scene in season three of Seinfeld:
