Angry Fan Strikes Out At Mound

A 27-year-old bond trader ran onto the field and attacked Randy Myers of the Chicago Cubs, moments after the reliever gave up a home run Thursday that could have cost his team a chance at the N.L. wild-card spot.

The incident happened after pinch-hitter James Mouton hit a two-run homer that put the Houston Astros ahead 9-7 in the eighth inning. Then, a man jumped from the Wrigley Field stands, crossed the first-base line and ran toward the 6-foot-1, 230-pound pitcher.

Myers saw the fan coming, dropped his glove and knocked him down with his forearm. The two were rolling on the ground near the pitcher’s mound, and Myers had the man pinned when several Chicago players broke up the fight.

“His hands started reaching for what I thought was a weapon,” said Myers, skilled in martial arts. “I made sure his hands didn’t go into his waistband and pull out a knife or a gun.”

The fan, John Murray of suburban Riverside, Ill., was removed by Wrigley Field security officers and taken to Town Hall police lockup, about five blocks from the ballpark.

Police said Murray, 6-1 and 185 pounds, was not armed. Police did not comment on whether he had been drinking.

“I can’t believe it’s him!” said Murray’s wife Lucy, when reached at home by The Associated Press.

“He called today from work and said he wanted to go to the game,” she said. “I was flipping through the TV channels just now and I saw it. For a second, I thought it might have been him. But then they said on TV, ‘Some stupid fan ran onto the field’ and my husband isn’t stupid.’ “

According to police Lt. Frank Kehoe, Murray was charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Murray was released on $750 bond, and a court date was set for Oct. 24.

Murray, wearing a denim shirt, was released through a side door and did not comment. He did not appear hurt in the scuffle.

A man identified by police as Murray’s brother said he was at the game when Myers was brought in to relieve.

“If he throws another home run, I’m going to run out there and give him what for,’ ” the man, who did not give his name, quoted his brother as saying.

Murray’s wife, 23, said her husband is a lifelong Cubs fan and attends about 15 games a season. She said he works at the Chicago Board of Trade as a broker in bond options. The couple was married in May and is expecting a child.

“He’s never done anything like this before,” she said. “Could he really have been this drunk?”

Myers, a member of the Nasty Boys in the Cincinnati bullpen in 1990 and known as a tough guy who collects military memorabilia, remained in the game. Shortly after the incident, the Cubs came back to tie the game and force extra innings, winning 12-11 in the 11th.

“I defended myself, no one got hurt and we won the game. It’s over,” Myers said. “I can handle myself, I’ll just leave it at that. I’m not out there to worry about self-defense.”

Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston was one of the first players to reach Myers.”

“It was scary,” Dunston said. “It brought back memories of Monica Seles.”