When a Prank Went Too Far: Vince Coleman’s 1993 Fireworks Disaster Revisited

Vince Coleman emerged as an exceptional base stealer in Major League Baseball, successfully stealing 50 or more bases on seven separate occasions throughout his career. His extraordinary speed made him a highly sought-after player among teams.In 1991, Coleman transitioned to the New York Mets after his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals, and many Mets supporters anticipated that he would spark their offense. However, he fell short of expectations, failing to appear in 100 games during any of his three seasons with the team.Notably, Coleman faced significant challenges both on and off the field. A major controversy unfolded on July 24, 1993, when he engaged in a prank by tossing a firecracker in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. The incident resulted in injuries to two children and an adult. As a consequence, Coleman was placed on administrative leave, faced felony charges, pled guilty, and was sentenced to community service and a fine. Eventually, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals.