Frank Francisco was sentenced to a work program and anger mangement classes today. Interesting timing in the “Rogers Rage” case that’s going at the moment.
There’s still a suit pending from the {sarcasm}totally innocent and angelic fans{/sarcasm}, the Buenos. That’s a private suit, which is also against the Rangers, Doug Brocail, & Carlos Almanzar.
This is about what I thought would happen in this case. I didn’t think any of the more drastic things (like deportation) would happen. It’s still going to be till the middle of next year before we can see him pitch anyway, but it’s nice this part has worked out. I suspect the other will too – probably a payoff somewhere.
Here’s a news story about this:
SAN FRANCISCO — A Texas Rangers pitcher accused of tossing a chair at an Oakland Athletics fan last year was sentenced to a work program and anger management classes Thursday, ending a case that sparked a national debate on violence between fans and professional athletes.
Frank Francisco, 25, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault, Alameda County deputy district attorney Erin Kingsbury said.
Superior Court Judge Michael Gaffey sentenced Francisco to almost 30 days in jail which can be served in a work detail. Francisco received 10 days off for good behavior. Gaffey also ordered that Francisco attend 26 anger management cases, one class a week for six months, according to prosecutors.
“I think the judge gave this a lot of consideration. This was a thoughtful sentence,” Kingsbury said. “The judge used all the information he was given to come up with this.”
Francisco was also placed on three years probation and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service, according to prosecutors.
Kingsbury said Francisco will be able to satisfy the terms of the sentence in Texas, which should allow him to continue his baseball career. Francisco is out for the season with an injured right elbow.
The judge also imposed a 179-day suspended sentence, meaning Francisco could serve jail time if arrested again.
Francisco’s attorney, Rick Minkoff, did not return several phone messages requesting comment.
The incident was one of several in the past year that raised concerns about violent interactions between fans and athletes and prompted some to call for limits on heckling.
The others included a fight between members of the Indiana Pacers and fans of the Detroit Pistons that spread into the stands and the arrest of a man who hurled a beer at New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi.
Francisco threw the chair in the stands during a Sept. 13 loss to the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum after a group of fans seated near the bullpen began heckling players. The chair hit Jennifer Bueno of Livermore, whose husband Craig was among the hecklers.
The chair broke Jennifer Bueno’s nose.
Kingsbury would not comment on whether she was pleased with the sentence given the attention the incident received.
“It’s like every case we have here. We look at the facts as they come to light,” she said.
Francisco was not required to appear in court because the case was a misdemeanor
Bueno has filed a lawsuit against Francisco, teammates Doug Brocail and Carlos Almanzar, and the Rangers.