Jim Eisenreich leaves a game at Fenway Park after fans cruelly taunt his extreme twitching, which is caused by Tourette’s Syndrome

On May 4, 1982, Jim Eisenreich leaves a game at Fenway Park after fans cruelly taunt his extreme twitching, which is caused by Tourette’s Syndrome. The Minnesota Twins’ rookie will eventually retire before making a successful return in 1987.

Last night was the saddest and ugliest of scenes thus far. One pitch into the second inning, Eisenreich, his shoulders twitching uncontrollably, came in from center field. He was again a victim of a mysterious neurological disorder, perhaps exacerbated by the taunts of some unspeakably insensitive “fans” in the bleachers who in the first inning had yelled. “Hey, Eisenreich, how many innings tonight?” and “It’s a little cold. I’m shivering, too.” and “Are you epileptic?”

“Those people should have been able to see there was something wrong with him.” Minnesota outfielder Gary Ward had said after, Monday’s disgraceful- scene. “When they get to laughing at him. it’s tough, you know? When it gets bad. it’s tough for him to control.” Ward is looking after his rookie” friend, and said before last night’s game, “I watch him all the time. We all talk to him to calm him down and tell him how important he is to our team. He’s a great center fielder and he’s going to be a hell of a ballplayer. I know he’s going to be all right.” – However, after last night, Ward shook his head and said, “I don’t know, man. This is the worst I’ve ever seen him. He could hardly talk tonight.”

 

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