CUBS FAN SAYS HE WAS BEATEN OUTSIDE U.S. CELLULAR FIELD

Tuesday, June 17, 2014
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago Cubs fan is recovering after he says he was attacked and beaten outside of U.S. Cellular Field following a White Sox game.

The 28-year-old says he nearly lost his eyesight in the attack that is now being investigated by police.

A detached pupil, a fractured globe and six stitches to his left eye. This is not what Steven Rebenda ever thought would come of a trip to U.S Cellular Field.

"They kind of surrounded me in a little triangle and were running their mouths," he said. "I noticed one guy down here playing with his hand a little bit. Next thing I know I get sucker punched in the face."

The incident happened last Wednesday when Rebenda, a self-professed Cubs fan, went to the White Sox game with friends. It was his first time ever at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I'll give it to them, U.S. Cellular Field is freakin' awesome. I had a great time," he said.

The problem started after the game. Rebenda says he was just outside the stadium leaning against a trash can by the parking lot when three young men started heckling him because of what he was wearing.

"They kind of surrounded me in a little triangle and were running their mouths," he said. "I noticed one guy down here playing with his hand a little bit. Next thing I know I get sucker punched in the face."

The men had apparently taken offense to what Rebenda was wearing.

"I had a White Sox shirt on and a Cubs hat," Rebenda said. "I mean, I'm a Cubs fan, but I wasn't going to go all in Cubs gear. I know better than that."

A server at a restaurant with four children to support, Rebenda is unable to work until his eyesight stabilizes. But he says his coming forward is not about money.

"I just don't want this to happen to anybody else," he said. "I think this is ridiculous. Everybody is trying to make this about, 'Oh he's just a Cubs fan trying to get PR.' This isn't about the Cubs. Or the Sox. This just shouldn't have happened in the first place."

As for the White Sox, a spokesperson says their public's safety is a top priority and he confirms they have been in touch both with Rebenda's family and Chicago police to try and determine what happened.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Les Grobstein's huge hog is proof that God has a sense of humor, isn't it?

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Guess this is why people don't go to Sox games.

No. People don't go to Sox games because there's probably like 30,000 total white sox fans in the metro area. There's really no other explanation other than extremely small fan base. I'm sure someone got their ass kicked at Clark and Addison once upon a time too.

Les Grobstein's huge hog is proof that God has a sense of humor, isn't it?

I hope Mr. Rebenda is okay. This is a HUGE story.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

They did him a favor. Now he doesn't have to watch the Cubs.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

I think he is representative of all Sox fans.

Impossible. I beat him half to death with my niece's Angels mini-bat and then she curbed him. He got no teefs.

He didn't deserve a beatdown but what kind of dickhead feels the need to represent at his rivals stadium when his team is not even the opponent? Antagonize and things happen.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I rarely troll.