Jays beer can tosser handed 12 months probation, banned from MLB games

The man who threw a beer can onto the field during a Blue Jays playoff game last fall has been banned from all MLB games while he completes 12 months of probation.

Ken Pagan also must complete 100 hours of community service and cannot go within 500 metres of the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Pagan pleaded guilty to mischief in connection with the incident last month.

The incident made headlines worldwide in October of 2016 after someone tossed a can of beer on the field as a Baltimore Orioles player was about to catch a fly ball during the seventh inning of the pivotal wild card game in Toronto.

Pagan was quickly identified after photos of the incident went viral. He later surrendered.

Court heard that the beer can tossed by Pagan narrowly missed Orioles player Hyun Soo Kim and caused a prolonged disruption in the pivotal game.

Pagan's lawyer said that his client has since been subjected to online harassment, suffers from anxiety and “may never be rehabilitated.”

He suggested the scrutiny his client has faced over the incident is unfair, saying the public often doesn’t know the names of people who run onto baseball fields and streak but Pagan is known across the country as “The Beer Can Guy.”

The lawyer added that, despite multiple apologies, Pagan lost his job at Postmedia and has been working part-time as a janitor and delivering pizzas.

A CTV News Toronto reporter inside the courtroom said Pagan watched emotionless as a video of the incident was played in court several times.

In an apology, Pagan told the courtroom that his ‘emotions got the best of him’ that day.

He said he started writing apologies to the Blue Jays, the Orioles and player Hyun Soo Kim immediately after the game.

"I have been a passionate baseball fan since getting hooked as an eight-year-old in the summer of 1983 and I am fully aware of the disgrace I brought to the game and the embarrassment this caused, particularly to the Toronto Blue Jays organization and the great baseball fans of Toronto,' he told the court in a statement.

“I’d also like to apologize for disappointing so many family members, friends and former colleagues with this regrettable incident."

Pagan also stated that he takes full responsibility for chucking the beer can, calling it a “deeply regrettable mistake.”

The Crown suggested Pagan’s act was not a victimless crime, calling it both “unsportsmanlike” and “un-Canadian.”

The 12-month probation Pagan received was what the Crown had asked for.

With files from the Canadian Press.