The Philadelphia Phillies‘ victory over the Miami Marlins became overshadowed by an unusual dispute in the stands when a fan insisted on claiming a home run ball from a child sparked a social media storm, although her identity remains unknown.
The moment came shortly after Harrison Bader sent one over the fence on route to a 9-3 win for his team on Friday night, but his moonshot wasn’t the talking point – it was what happened in the stands after.
As the solo shot sailed into left field, a father rushed over to a group of women to compete for the ball and won the race – jubilantly taking Bader‘s homer back to his son as a gift.
In what might have been a sweet bonding moment, it quickly soured when one of the women came over to confront him and repeatedly claimed, “That was in my hands,” referring to the ball and suggesting he stole it.
Videos circulated showing the boy’s father eventually handing over the ball as the woman walked away, leaving the internet divided over the fairness of the exchange with the young boy ultimately losing out.
A search to find the woman then began and fans thought they had initially identified her online as Cheryl Richardson-Wagner, but the woman quickly denied being the viral figure from the incident.
This denial has intensified the confusion surrounding her identity, as fans and media continue searching for clarity as people try to find out who “Phillies Karen” is.
Humorously, her name is a reference to the internet experience of a Karen – someone who is a middle class woman who is perceived as entitled or excessively demanding and rude.
They are often defined by haircut consisting of a short, asymmetric bob with stacked layers and often chunky highlights and ironically enough, that’s the style of hair Phillies Karen is rocking. The joke writes itself.
Splitting fans around the world, few are actually defending her – including professional journalists as SportsCenters’ anchors reacted strongly to the viral footage.
Nicole Briscoe said, “I don’t care lady who you are. You didn’t have a kid with you. He did. It is about them. What the hell? What is wrong with people?”
Whilst Michael Eaves added, “Really lady? You didn’t catch it! It’s fair game!”
Harrison Bader and the Phillies make the young boy whole
Despite the controversy, the young fan received a positive outcome as a Marlins staffer approached the child later in the game at loanDepot Park, offering a gift bag and apologizing: “This is for you. I’m so sorry.”
The Phillies also organized a meet-and-greet with Bader, who presented the boy with a signed bat, providing a lasting consolation for the tense exchange and a better experience than simply being gifted a ball.
For now, the young fan remains the central figure in what now has a relatively positive ending, while the adult fan’s true identity remains one of the most intriguing unresolved elements of the story.
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