All Derek Holland wanted to do on Monday was enjoy a “sweet lol concert of the counting crows,” according to the pitcher’s Twitter account.
Things didn’t go so “sweet lol” for the lefty or the concertgoers around him, though. First, we’ll give you Holland’s version of the events that led to him being kicked out of the alt-rock show through his now-deleted post-show tweets.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Dutch_Oven45/statuses/349352786317672452 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/Dutch_Oven45/statuses/349353019709730816 align=’center’%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/Dutch_Oven45/statuses/349353298744188930 align=’center’%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/Dutch_Oven45/statuses/349353906402377729 align=’center’%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/Dutch_Oven45/statuses/349354298049699842 align=’center’%5D
That’s not exactly how things transpired, though, according to Count Basie Theater CEO Adam Philipson.
“There was no issue with him standing,” Philipson told Patch.com. “It was a concert. Everyone stands. We just followed procedure as we always do when patrons complain. The person being complained about is taken out to the lobby to resolve the issue.
“Our intention in all of these situations is to be able to have the patron return to their seat and enjoy the show as quickly as possible,” the theater released in a statement. “We are very sorry that Mr. Holland was not able to enjoy the entire Counting Crows concert …”
A first-hand account goes into further details about why Holland was removed from the show. Amy Sloane of Howell, N.J., was sitting in front of Holland.
“He was loud and he had a chip on his shoulder,” Sloane told the Asbury Park Press. “He was heckling people around us and talking about the group and just being really obnoxious.
“He stumbled in and bumped into me even though I was in another row. He said ‘I’m sorry’ and he had a drink in his hand.”
About an hour into the Counting Crows’ set, another concertgoer asked Holland to be quiet, words were exchanged and security intervened. Holland was escorted out of the theater.
“Everyone clapped,” Sloane said. “They all felt the same way. Finally after that, everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves.
MLB batters may agree that Holland is obnoxious. He has an impressive 3.14 ERA while compiling a 6-4 record with 97 strikeouts in 106 innings.
The incident didn’t seem to affect him much when he pitched against the Yankees on Thursday, either. He threw a complete-game shutout, tallying seven strikeouts while allowing just two hits and two walks.
