Fan ambles across field, tries to shake ex-Ray Brad Miller’s hand

Former Ray Brad Miller is making friends seemingly everywhere he goes these days.

A couple of weeks after joining the Phillies in June, Miller bought a bamboo plant in Chinatown and presented it to his new teammates.

Philadelphia, which had dropped eight of nine games, promptly went on to win five of its next seven.

Then, Sunday in Pittsburgh, where the Phillies were playing the Pirates, a fan went out of his way to meet the utility player.

Uncomfortably out of his way.

The man, wearing a blue-and-white Hawaiian shirt, jeans and sunglasses and carrying a cellphone, ambled across the field to home plate, where Miller was waiting to bat in the top of the sixth inning.

As Miller slowly backed away, the man reached out in an effort to shake his hand.

Miller declined, and the man was escorted to the dugout before eventually leaving the field in handcuffs.

The man, identified by police as a 24-year-old from central Pennsylvania, walked on to the field in response to a dare from a friend, the Tribune-Review reported.

He faces charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Miller, who spent parts of three seasons with the Rays, was designated for assignment in June 2018 before being traded to the Brewers for Ji-Man Chois. He spent time in the Indians and Yankees organizations before joining the Phillies in June. He is batting .225 with three home runs, seven RBIs and an .840 OPS in 26 games with Philadelphia this season.