The Ice Cream Sandwich Incident

Ice cream is a treat, a dessert and an American institution.

But is it a weapon?

Apparently, one professional baseball player treated it as such. Jesus Montero of the Seattle Mariners is accused of taking out some of his frustrations by throwing an ice cream sandwich. At a person.

Montero is a major league baseball player but has been rehabbing an injury in the minor leagues. A couple weeks ago, Montero was doing some coaching at fire base during a game. Witnesses say that at the end of an inning, a Mariners scout told a less-than-briskly-walking Montero to move a little faster when getting off the field. The scout then apparently ordered an ice cream saved to be delivered to Montero in the dugout. Then things allegedly escalated rather quickly. Witnesses say Montero approached the scout in the stands with a bat, yelling profanities. Montero then allegedly threw the ice cream sandwich at the scout.

There’s a backstory here, one that might help explain why Montero did not appreciate the ice cream sandwich gesture. When Montero showed up for spring training this year, he was 40 pounds overweight. That sort of thing is frowned up in the world of professional athletics.

Still, the Seattle Mariners organization was not exactly thrilled by this apparent ice cream sandwich-throwing incident. Montero has been suspended for the reminder of the season. The club says this action was taken so that Montero can focus on his “off-field” issues. The scout involved was sent home and his future with the organization seems unclear.

It also seems wrong to waste an ice cream sandwich in an attempt to prove a point in a juvenile way. Also, as little kids are told all the time, we don’t throw things.

Let’s all try to remember the true purpose of ice cream.