Giants fan critically beaten after Dodgers home opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers opening day was marred by violence when a San Francisco Giants fan was critically beaten in the stadium parking lot after the game.

Los Angeles police were searching Friday for two Dodgers fans responsible for assaulting and critically injuring a man wearing San Francisco Giants apparel following Thursday’s game.

"The man suffered a serious head injury during the assault after the game,'' said Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Sanford Rosenberg, watch commander at the Northeast Station.

Rosenberg said the victim was one of three Giants fans attacked in the parking lot around the end of the game by two unidentified men wearing Dodgers clothing.

The unprovoked attack occurred about 8:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 2 when two men in Dodgers clothing approached three victims in Giants apparel, police said.

The men then attacked the trio, kicking and punching them and shouting expletives about the Giants as they delivered the blows, Rosenberg said. The attack left one victim hospitalized in critical but stable condition, Rosenberg said.

The LAPD arrested at least two people for public intoxication in the parking lot compared to more than 130 on opening day last year.

Detectives ask anyone with information on the attack to call the LAPD's Northeast Station at (213) 485-2563.

Public intoxication has been an issue at Dodger home openers in the past, leading to police crackdowns. It's unclear if drinking was a factor in this case. The Dodgers beat the Giants 2-1.

RELATED:

Giants fan seriously beaten, 25 people arrested at Dodgers home opener

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly greets his coaches and reserve players during pregame introductions on Thursday evening at Dodger Stadium. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / March 31, 2011)

Comments

[Katy]

Just another fine example of the trash living in L.A. Peaceful and fun outings to sports events in this city are no more. Look at the mayhem at the Lakers play-offs-anything at all that can be used for an excuse to set fires, rob, loot and act like a bunch of apes that they are. Ought to be saving it for soccer play offs-then they can beat the crap out of each other. That's how they live in their violent country.

[c. smith]

baseball - america's greatest pastime. I guess that's over.

These are not fans... they are gang-banging thugs in Dodger's shirts and hats looking for an excuse to do what they do best.

After reading this article I will never go to another game at Dodger stadium again.

[ken]

Not at all different than what happens to a Dodger fan in SF. Wear a Dodger hat and at a minimum you get a beer on your head.

You pay a fortune for these tickets and expect a good fun time for yourself and your family. But not anymore. Sad actually.

[bfree]

People blaming the Dodgers, the owners, the security guards, everybody but the thugs themselves. We need to be willing to put responsibility back where it belongs. I guess we are now officially a third world country.

[College Baseball Fan]

It's time to civilize Dodger Stadium and kick out any fan that physically abuses another fan. I am tired of going to Dodger Stadium and dodging things being thrown down from the peanut gallery especially since I am a Dodger fan that happens to be sitting behind the visiting dugout. Seriously, grow up! And if you can't behave yourself after having a couple of beers then DON'T DRINK! McCourt, I hope you get the message and increase security following games!

[Malby]

Public intoxication has been an issue at Dodger home openers in the past--WHAT ABOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON? leading to police crackdowns. HA. It's unclear if drinking was a factor in this case. ANYONE TAKING bets?

Geez, the Dodgers won--usually, fans go happily off into the sunset unless their team loses. Makes no sense in either case, of course.

[Karen]

I wonder if one of the Dodgers fans that did this is the same one I saw beating up an Angels fan in the parking lot in Anaheim on Tuesday night. It took five minutes to break the fight up.

It's just a game, people. No reason for violence.

[Michael Morgan]

As a devout Dodger fan Iam totally embarrassed! These guy's are NOT fans. They are wanna be gang members and they are embarrassing the whole city! Now when I want to go to SF and represent for the boy's in blue Iam going to have to suffer the repercussions

[Gordon]

Welcome to Los Angeles!

[CUJO]

Dodgers are ghetto went there one time will NEVER go back! It's a shame that you cant go to a game and support your team whoever it may be with out having someone attack you. Sad that some people will never grow up.

[William Desmond Taylor]

Find them... prosecute them... jail them... sue them. Jerks probably think they did a good thing.

[jazz]

And they want to build another sports stadium in Downtown Los Angeles????????

If you plan to attend better wear your flak jacket.

[Tim N]

I grew up in SoCal and it is tough to see how Raiders, Kings, Dodgers, USC Trojans, and to a certain extent Laker fans are so violent and thinks that they are "gangster" defending their turf. I see a direct correlation with items selling at Walmart and these violent drunkards at these games. Sad...but people...please grow up and respect society! Make it fun for kids to enjoy sporting events again.

[Mike D]

First off with all the Raider talk. I went to a game last year and sat in the black hole. There were no fights, it was all love. When they were in LA, the stadium was smack dab in the middle of the worst part of town. It wasnt Raiders fans that were the idiots it was the gang members that go there to fight other gang members. Not to watch the game. For anyone who thinks that this stuff only happens at Dodger stadium are morons. There were more altercations and stories last year about fights at Angel stadium then there was in LA. Wasnt someone shot in the parking lot? Lay off the Dodgers, there are idiots everywhere.

[1-800-lawyers]

How about a class action law suit by Dodger season ticket holders vs. Major League Baseball and the LA Dodgers for not providing adequate security in Dodger Stadium and surrounding parking areas?

[BEACHGIRLSC]

Despicable. I can't stand Los Angeles

[ronnie]

Dodger stadium is located in a not-so-nice part of town. The security at the stadium is a joke. Saddenly, this story doesn't surprise me. Hoping for a quick recovery for the victim.

[alanw19]

no place or justification for this kind of behavior....and I dislike the giants as much or more than anybody.

[RayRay]

Here is a scary thought.
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Once all of the old timer fans of the Dodgers die, they (Dodgers) will be left with this very low socioeconomic and socially stunted fan base.
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It makes great sense to crackdown on their not very smart, fan base.

[rj]

Lets be realistic here and admit that this crime has nothing to do with baseball. The Doyers represent these degenerate's neighborhoods and the Giants do not. And ownership and the LAPD couldn't seem to care less. $20 parking can't pay for security cameras and real security? No physical description of these idiots other than 'men wearing Dodgers clothing'? What a joke.

[john]

quick solution; forfeit the game

[johnnylee]

It's ridiculous that a person can't go to a Dodger game and root for the team of their choosing without having to fear for their safety. We know that serving alcohol at these games reap huge financial benefits for the team but violence usually results when you get drunken fanatic Dodgers fans that tend to remove the competition between the teams from the field and transform it into a competition between themselves and anyone wearing the opposing teams jerseys. If Major League Teams are going to sell alcohol to these fanatics, they need to hire more security to ensure the safety of the fans.

[Blue Maverick]

I hate the Giants with a passion, but c'mon people-REALLY?

Find these heathens and punish them severely.

[H]

Hey I'm a long time Dodger fan. It's not the well-to-do individuals and families that cause this stuff.

It's the sewer of society that causes all this stupidity. Not all but many from the ghetto areas of Los Angeles County. These people cheapen the proud Dodger history.

I hope that the McCourts (doubt it) can increase at least some security at the ball park. For all 25 years I've been going to Dodger stadium I have not seen any security in the parking lots. (Not counting the person guiding traffic)

[John E. Sweeney]

The entire Dodger organization has blood on its hands. There have been numerous incidents over the past several years in the parking lots that have little security in response to a rising gang element frequenting the games. The organization has had notice of this criminal activity and has only given minimial, token attention to the problem