Philadelphia is known for its hostile sports environments and with the Phillies playing in their first home playoff game since 2011 on Friday, the crowd did not disappoint.
In the second inning, Phillies fans began to chant “DUI” at Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who was arrested for driving under the influence in August.
The chants may have got to him. They picked up after the first pitch he saw, a ball, and Ozuna then swung and missed on the next three pitches, all out of the zone.
The 31-year-old was also met with jeers from the Atlanta crowd in his first game after the arrest on Aug. 21. Ozuna spoke to reporters a few days after the incident, but didn’t take any questions.
“I disappointed my team,” he said. “I disappointed my family. I don’t have anything to say more. It’s a legal matter.”
Ozuna was officially charged with DUI and failure to maintain the lane. He was released from Gwinnett County jail on bond.
Marcell Ozuna got a rough welcome to the City of Philadelphia on Friday. EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
It was Ozuna’s second arrest. He was also charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and battery on May 29, 2021, after police officers said they saw him attacking his wife. He underwent a pretrial diversion program and the charges were dropped.