Astros fan, former justice of the peace, arrested for alleged assault on Yankees fan in ALCS Game 2
A former Texas justice of the peace was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly hit a Yankees fan during the Houston Astros’ 3-2 win against New York in Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park, according to the Houston Chronicle.
James Dinkins, 73, allegedly repeatedly slapped a Yankees fan in the back of the head after an argument in the stands, which reportedly started after the Yankees fan cheered when an Astros player struck out in the eighth inning.
Dinkins reportedly “berated” the Yankees fan for cheering, which the fan then apologized for. The Yankees fan then turned to speak with his mother when Dinkins allegedly turned around and slapped him several times in a row. The fan and his mother left near the end of the game, and Dinkins was escorted out of the stadium by law enforcement.
The incident, per the report, was caught on security footage at the stadium.
“These allegations are troubling, as Houston is better than this,” Harris County assistant DA Nathan Beedle said, via the Houston Chronicle. “We pride ourselves on hospitality, sportsmanship and welcoming anyone from anywhere. All fans from all teams are always welcome in Houston.”
Dinkins was released from jail after posting bond. Per the report, he was placed on probation for one year in 2013 after pleading guilty to a federal disaster charge, in which he fraudulently tried to obtain about $120,000 in disaster relief funds after Hurricane Ike — which hit the Houston area as a Category 4 storm in 2008.
The Astros topped the Yankees in Game 2 after Carlos Correa drilled a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, tying the series 1-1.
More from Yahoo Sports:
