Mets GM Steve Phillips Stalked

[Wolf Hopper]

This is what you get when you're a GM who keeps throwing himself into the spotlight. There have been many bad GMs in the history of baseball. Few had stalkers. Maybe a nasty letter or two - but, this guy has taken it to the extreme. These things are no joke - remember the young girl from "My Sister Sam." Think Met owner Wilpon is factoring this into anything?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0520/1556989.html

Brooklyn man was charged Tuesday with stalking New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips after a series of alleged tirades at Shea Stadium.

A judge ordered Matthew Barnes, 27, held without bail until the defendant can undergo a psychiatric exam.

Prosecutors said that since early January, Barnes repeatedly showed up outside offices at Shea, where he yelled, cursed and demanded to see Phillips. When asked to leave, he refused until removed by security, prosecutors added.

Barnes, who is unemployed, had no direct contact with Phillips "but acted in a way that caused (the general manager) to be fearful and concerned for his safety," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.

"That's what those people do," said Phillips, who referred all other questions to the district attorney.

If convicted of stalking, harassment and trespassing charges, Barnes could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

It was the second time this year Barnes was arrested for outbursts at Shea. A call to his lawyer was not immediately returned.