Stroman turned away from Cactus Club after leading Jays to victory
Posted September 20, 2017 11:37 am.
Last Updated September 20, 2017 6:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
He brings the heat on the mound, but Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman was denied a hot meal on Tuesday night after securing his career-best 12th win against the visiting Kansas City Royals.
Stroman took to Twitter after the 5-2 victory, saying he was thrown a curve ball when he tried to celebrate at the Cactus Club Cafe on 77 Adelaide St. W.
“Shout to the security guards at @cactusclubcafe for denying me entry for a post-game meal. Off to @SohoHouse with the family!”
A witness who was inside the restaurant at the time tells CityNews Stroman walked into the Cactus Club with a party of three after the game, but was abruptly confronted by a security guard. When asked if they had a reservation, Stroman said they did, but for reasons unknown the security guard told him they were not welcome inside the establishment.
When the baseball star objected, the witness alleged the guard physically blocked Stroman’s path.
The witness maintains the guard appeared to be escalating the situation and acting in an intimidating fashion.
Stroman is reportedly a regular at the restaurant, which issued an apology on Twitter.
“Please know we are deeply sorry for last night and fixing the issue right now. You’re always welcome at Cactus.”
CityNews later spoke to Cactus Club VP of Communications, Christy Murphy, who apologized and said a full investigation was underway.
“We are going to get to the bottom of it … and do whatever it takes to make sure Stroman and the rest of the team feel welcome again at Cactus Club,” she said in a phone interview.
Social media expert, Tony Chapman, gave the Cactus Club credit for how its handled the situation. “They are doing the right things,” he said. “They are getting in front of it.”
Despite a disappointing season of dashed playoff hopes for the Jays, Stroman has been a bright spot for the team.
The 26-year-old right-hander is nearing his second 200-inning season, and his ERA stands at 3.01 after Tuesday’s game — the ninth best in Major League Baseball.
