June 06, 2016
John Locher/AP
In this May 2, 2015, file photo, Charles Barkley joins the crowd before the start of the world welterweight championship bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Two days after a fan allegedly chucked a beer bottle at Phillies veteran Ryan Howard at the end of a 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, NBA legend Charles Barkley says he wishes Howard could have introduced the perpetrator to his fists.
The former Sixer was at Citizens Bank Park on Monday to visit with the Phillies organization when reporters asked him for his opinion on the incident, the latest in a long history of shameful acts carried out by unruly fans. Here's what he had to say (h/t CSNPhilly):
"I was more disappointed than anything. That guy's done so much for the city. You know, the Phillies have been relevant for the last ten to fifteen years and he's been a major part of that. I'm just disappointed, very disappointed. I wish that, to be honest, Ryan could get his hands on him and beat the hell out of him. That would be the appropriate response...[Philadelphia] is a great city. Great fans, very passionate. There's always going to be a couple bad apples but a majority of the fans appreciate what Ryan has brought to the table."
When asked what he would have done, Barkley was upfront about the Artestesque-scene that would have ensued.
"I'd have kicked his a--, personally," Barkley said. "Just giving him a little warning or a ticket really doesn't do that situation justice."
Philadelphia police continue to search for the suspect, who they say threw the bottle at approximately 6:32 p.m. on Saturday, just after Howard grounded out to end the game in a pinch-hit situation. Howard expressed outrage the following day, but has since said he appreciates all of the support from Philadelphia fans. Despite getting benched last week, he also reiterated that he doesn't want to be a distraction to the team.
The suspect, pictured in a photo released Monday by police, is described as a white male, between 30 and 35 years old, with a medium build and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue Phillies hat with a red brim, a gray Phillies jersey and faded red shorts.
