Jeffrey Maier won't be in stands for Yankees-Orioles

USATODAY

Baltimore Orioles' right fielder Tony Tarasco stretches for the ball as young Yankee fan Jeffrey Maier deflects it during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees in 1996. The hit was ruled a home run tying the ballgame 4-4 in the eighth inning. Maier says he won't be attending this year's playoffs with the Yankees and Orioles. He says he'll be watching on TV.

This time the playoff winner will have to do without the help of their fans.

Or a fan.

Jeffrey Maier became a well-known 12-year-old during the 1996 ALCS at Yankee Stadium when he reached out and touched a fly ball that Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco seemed to be positioned under for the catch.

The ball, hit by Derek Jeter, was ruled a home run and the Yankees went on to win the game.

Now a 28-year-old, Maier said there will be no repeat performance.

"Tell them I am going to watch it sitting in my living room over the fireplace on a Samsung," Maier told George A. King III of the New York Post.

Maier, who admits his wife is a Red Sox fan and that he has friends in Baltimore, says "I have been married for 3½ years and have kids, so that seems like a while."

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