In an unusual on-air tirade, Yankee broadcaster Phil Rizzuto has urged fans to boo Toronto`s George Bell when the Blue Jays visit New York for a series this weekend.
Rizzuto said during a telecast last weekend that he found Bell`s attitude offensive and encouraged New York fans to display their disgust at Yankee Stadium by emulating Toronto fans and showering the outfielder with boos.
”I don`t know who this George Bell thinks he is,” Rizzuto said in an interview. ”In all my years in baseball, I`d never heard of a player who made the kinds of crazy remarks he made. It isn`t only the Canadian fans who should be upset with him. Everyone should be upset with him.”
Bell recently accused young Canadian fans of being jealous of him and his $2 million salary. This was after he advised them to kiss his backside.
”It`s pure nonsense for a player to make comments like that,” Rizzuto said. ”I hope the fans in New York really give it to him.”
It was mentioned to Rizzuto that Bell may not play the entire series in New York because of a suspension he may receive for a run-in he had with an umpire last month.
”I don`t care,” Rizzuto said. ”The fans should boo him even if he isn`t playing.”
