Anthony Rendon, third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels, will not be charged for his role in an altercation with a fan that occurred on Opening Day. The incident took place on March 30th in Oakland, where a video showed Rendon grabbing the shirt of a fan who was heckling him. After the final out of the Angels’ 2-1 loss, Rendon addressed the fan with an expletive.
Investigation and Closure of the Case
According to the Los Angeles Times, police in Oakland investigated the incident as a possible misdemeanor assault and misdemeanor battery but ultimately decided not to file charges. The newspaper reviewed a redacted report and confirmed that the case is now closed.
Rendon’s Reaction to the Altercation and Suspension
Shortly after the incident, Rendon accepted a four-game suspension and an unspecified fine, which he began serving immediately. He expressed regret for his actions and stated that his emotions got the best of him. Rendon typically enjoys interacting with fans and having fun with them, but this particular fan’s behavior pushed him over the edge. Rendon and the fan spoke on the phone and apologized to each other, and both parties are ready to move forward.
Rendon’s Performance and Contract with the Angels
Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million free agent deal with the Angels in December 2019, following a World Series win with the Washington Nationals. He is currently in the fourth season of his contract, which pays him $38.5 million this season, more than what the Angels are paying superstars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. However, Rendon has been a disappointment for the Angels due to injuries limiting him to just 187 games since the start of the 2020 season. In 30 games this season, he has one home run and 20 runs driven in, with a .301 batting average, an improvement over last season’s .229. In his sole All-Star season in 2019, Rendon hit .319 with 44 doubles, 34 home runs, and a major league-leading 126 RBIs.
In summary, Anthony Rendon will not face charges for his altercation with a fan on Opening Day, as the case has been closed following an investigation. Rendon expressed regret for his actions and accepted a four-game suspension and an unspecified fine. While he has been a disappointment for the Angels due to injuries, Rendon has shown improvement this season and has the potential to live up to his lucrative contract.
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