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Shirtless fan runs out on field, Rays manager takes it as a compliment

May 16, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT

Running out on the field is quickly becoming passe in Major League Baseball. If a drunken buffoon wants to really make a splash, he has to bring something unique to his disruptive behavior. Luckily, the fan that ran out on the field last night and delayed the Rays-Mariners game three minutes before he was tackled by security (no taser!) understands that style will always supersede substance and proved just that by making a shirtless mad dash around Tropicana Field. If he had been fully clothed, he would have been just another yahoo forced to spend a night in detox for his efforts. Instead, he has a achieved an individualized level of notoriety as he will now be known as Idiotic Shirtless D-Bag Loser Guy. And who wouldn’t want that moniker?
At least Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon can see the bright side of the unfortunate disruption:

“It’s always a sign of having made it, in a sense, when you start getting streakers or semi-streakers during a game,” Maddon said. “I don’t think they streak at last-place teams’ games.”

So there you have it, baseball fans. If your favorite squad is playing well and you want to give them a boost of confidence while letting them know you like how they’re going about their business, you have no choice but to run out on the field. Shirts are optional.
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Maddon jokes that fan on field a plus for Rays [NBC Sports/AP]