Anthony Rendon #6 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies during a Spring Training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 08, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Angels’ Anthony Rendon is being investigated by both the MLB and the Oakland Police Department after a video of his altercation with a fan surfaced online.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Anthony Rendon is in serious trouble following a video of a post-game incident in which he tried to slap a fan.
The Angels lost to the Oakland Athletics in their first game of the season that included several whiffs from Los Angeles’ offense, including one snarky swipe in the dugout between Rendon and an Oakland fan.
In the short NSFW video, Rendon is shown grabbing the fan by his shirt through the guardrails as other Angels players were walking toward the clubhouse. The fan, who is pushed up against the rails, allegedly insulted Rendon with a profane name, and Rendon roughly grabs him, fires an insult back, and holds onto his shirt for several seconds before finally letting go.
Rendon then reaches up and tries to slap the fan but misses.
Los Angeles Angels’ Anthony Rendon is being investigated by Oakland police
In the aftermath of the incident, The Mercury News reported that Rendon wasn’t only being investigated by the MLB, but also by the Oakland Police Department. Officers apparently reviewed the footage online and created a report, though the unnamed fan has not come forward.
Rendon, a former All-Star who missed most of the 2022 season due to wrist surgery, went 0-for-3 in the Angels’ 2-1 loss to the A’s. While Los Angeles’ higher-profile stars are Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, Rendon will serve a key role in helping the Angels get to the postseason in 2023 — assuming he doesn’t face a lengthy suspension for his actions.
Rendon plans to speak to the media about the fan altercation tomorrow prior to the Angels’ game back in Oakland as the MLB and Oakland police consider disciplinary measures. What an unexpected and distasteful way for the Angels to start their season.