In Montreal, the trend of throwing "Oh Henry" candy bars
onto the field in appreciation of outfielder Henry Rodriguez has
drawn the ire of NL officials, reports Jeff Blair of the MONTREAL
GAZETTE. In response to warnings by NL President Len Coleman and
an announced visit on May 23 by MLB's security official Kevin
Hallinan, Blair asks, "What's next? Strip-searches ...
Chocolate-sniffing police dogs?" The Oh Henry twist comes after
Sunday's game was delayed following a second-inning Rodriguez RBI
double. Expos manager Felipe Alou was ejected by ump Harry
Wendelstedt who felt that Alou's body language during the delay
condoned the candy throwing. Expos President Claude Brochu, who
has spoken with Coleman: "It's just a form of exuberance,
certainly not a safety risk. We'll see if we can't redirect that
enthusiasm in some way." Brochu and Expos VP of Stadium Ops
Claude Delorme did take exception to Wendelstedt's claim that
"hundreds of candy bars" as well as a three-ounce concrete anchor
was throw onto the field. Delorme: "We've had golf balls and
tennis balls. No anchors." Delorme said Oh! Henry bars are not
sold at stadium concession areas, but that "some kind of
corporate sponsorship might be in the works" (MONTREAL GAZETTE,
5/14).
SOME SNICKERS: In L.A., Mike Downey writes the flap reminds
him of Yankee Stadium in the '70s when fans used to throw Reggie
Jackson's candy bars -- but unlike Reggie Bars, "Oh Henry bars
happen to be yummy" (L.A. TIMES, 5/13).
