J.C. Romero Accused of Assaulting Rays Fan After Steroid Remark

TORONTO (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies have acknowledged that one of their players was involved in a confrontation with a fan following Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Phillies did not identify the player in Saturday's statement. The Rays also confirmed the incident but did not release details.

The St. Petersburg Times reported on its Web site Saturday that Phillies reliever J.C. Romero grabbed and shoved a male fan of the Rays after the man made comments about steroids. Romero was recently reinstated following a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy.

According to the Times, St. Petersburg Police dispatcher confirmed that a report for a battery call was taken at the stadium at about 11 p.m. Thursday.

The paper reports that Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old father of two, was attempting to get autographs from the Phillies players, to no avail. Eaton then called out to Romero, "How about you get me some juice?"

After a short verbal back-and-forth, Eaton claims that "He reared back and kinda grazed my chin and grabbed me by the neck and threw me back," Eaton said. "I was in shock."

"I don't feel what I said was wrong," Eaton said. "I feel if you cheat the game you're going to hear it from people. He brought that on himself. I just can't believe that a professional athlete would cross the line."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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