The Cincinnati Reds have won their first division title in 15 years. The postgame celebration was nothing out of the ordinary; lots of yelling and jumping around, some champagne spraying, and some cigar smoking. But the aftermath of that celebration is anything but ordinary.
Reds' owner Bob Castellini joined the team in the clubhouse after the game to celebrate. Castellini was seen on TV passing out victory cigars, and lighting one up himself. That's when at least five people who were watching the celebration on TV reported the organization for violating Ohio's indoor-smoking ban. And yes, I'm serious. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the five people called the state's smoking ban complaint hotline. Now, the Cincinnati Health Department will investigate. A health inspector will make a surprise visit to Great American Ball Park within the next 30 days.
Jane Prendergast, from the Enquirer writes,
"If the inspector sees someone smoking, the Reds will be sent a letter notifying them of the violation, which the team can appeal. No fine is attached to any initial violation. If another complaint is filed and an inspector responds again to the ballpark and sees someone smoking, the Reds could be fined $100. The fine escalates to $500 after that."
I'm a non-smoker. I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. I think indoor-smoking bans are a great idea. BUT, I just want to say, this is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. The people that made the anonymous complaints weren't even there. So why was it necessary to make that phone call? The people that made those phone calls must lead miserable lives. Or it was just a couple of idiots with nothing better to do. With that being said, it was probably Yadier Molina and Chris Carpenter.
link to the article in the Cincinnati Enquirer... http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100930/SPT04/10010340/1055/NEWS/Reds-cigars-bring-complaints
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