Jonny Gomes realized after the Red Sox’ division-clinching celebration that punting beer cans into the crowd probably wasn’t the best idea.
Gomes punted a Bud Light can into the stands as the Red Sox partied on the Fenway Park field upon clinching their first AL East title since 2007, and unfortunately, the can struck a 74-year-old fan in the head. While Gomes feels terrible about the accident, the gentleman who was struck, Greg Hanley, apparently is more upset about not making a play on the flying piece of aluminum.
“I’m definitely bummed out that it happened. I reached out and talked the guy, Greg, for a while,” Gomes told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford on Friday. “He was actually mad that it did hit him because he played third base in high school and he played on the grass and he really does have good hands. He doesn’t want people to think he has bad hands. He’s taking it hard. He was like, ‘I used play third base. I used to play on the grass. I never played back.’”
In Hanley’s defense, catching a beer can is no easy task, especially when you’re caught off-guard. It’s awkwardly shaped, and grabbing cans with consistency is actually part of what made Stone Cold Steve Austin’s famous WWE beer chug so impressive. But it’s awesome to see Hanley be so cool about the whole situation, as it’s clear that Gomes simply got caught up in the moment.
“I feel awful that it happened, but he reassured me that he’s actually bummed out he got hit because he’s got good hands,” Gomes reportedly said. “We’ve got him locked in. I told him if he comes to another game there might be another celebration. He said he would be ready.”
Hanley reportedly has been promised playoff tickets from Gomes, while also receiving a jersey autographed by a number of Red Sox players, including Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz.
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