Cheryl Richardson: Did Phillies Karen Get Fired From Her Job?
Cheryl Richardson: Did Phillies Karen Get Fired From Her Job?
A confrontation during a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park created widespread controversy online. The dispute occurred when Harrison Bader hit a home run ball into the stands during the fourth inning.
A father caught the ball and gave it to his young son Lincoln, who was celebrating his birthday at the game. A woman in Phillies clothing approached the family and demanded the ball, claiming it belonged to her. The argument escalated as she insisted the father hand over the baseball.
We got the Phillies Karen that took a kid’s baseball in 4K
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 6, 2025
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— Game 7 (@game7__) September 4, 2025
The confrontation ended when the father gave the woman the home run ball to resolve the situation. Lincoln appeared visibly disappointed after losing the souvenir. Video footage of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, leading users to label the woman “Phillies Karen.”
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Wrong Person Named in Online Investigation
Social media users began investigating the woman’s identity after the viral video gained traction. Internet detectives incorrectly identified a woman named Cheryl Richardson Wagner as the person involved in the baseball incident.
UPDATE: Cheryl-Richardson Wager has denied being the bat shit crazy lady that stole a baseball from a young boy at the Philadelphia Phillies game. There is however another Cheryl Wagner that looks like the suspect. I am recommending that all Cheryl Wagners are rounded up until… pic.twitter.com/MY1nNfnkiD
— Anthony Sanchez (@antonisanchezx) September 6, 2025
The wrongly accused individual took to Facebook to deny involvement in the confrontation. She clarified that she supports the Boston Red Sox rather than the Philadelphia Phillies. Her post stated she was not the person seen in the video and expressed surprise at trending on social media.
Key points from her denial:
- Confirmed she was not at the Phillies vs Marlins game
- Stated her allegiance to the Red Sox team
- Requested apologies from those spreading false information
- Expressed bewilderment at her sudden social media attention
Employment Termination Claims Investigated
Rumors circulated that the woman dubbed “Phillies Karen” worked as an educator and faced job termination due to the incident. Speculation focused on employment with Hammonton Public Schools in New Jersey.
The school district issued an official statement addressing these claims. Hammonton Public Schools confirmed that no employee matching the viral video description worked for their organization. They emphasized that the woman had never been employed by their district.
| Claim | Fact Check Result |
|---|---|
| Employed by Hammonton Public Schools | False – Never worked there |
| Fired due to viral incident | False – No employment relationship existed |
| Located in New Jersey | Unconfirmed – District denied connection |
The district added humor to their statement, noting that any local resident would have caught the ball properly, avoiding the entire situation.
Second Individual With Identical Name Emerges
A different person sharing the same name became entangled in the online investigation. This Cheryl Richardson Wagner works as a healthcare professional in New Jersey’s companion and social services sector.
Her LinkedIn profile indicates employment with Bayada Nurses in Moorestown since 2006. The profile gained significant attention as social media users attempted to connect her to the baseball incident. Professional details from her background include:
- Current Role: Companion and social services
- Employer: Bayada Nurses
- Location: Moorestown, New Jersey
- Duration: Nearly two decades of service
This individual has not issued public statements regarding the mistaken identity situation. Her professional profile continues circulating online despite no confirmed connection to the Miami Marlins game incident.
Digital Backlash Intensifies Across Platforms
The viral video continues generating negative responses toward the unidentified woman from the baseball game. Social media users share commentary, memes, and criticism related to the home run ball incident.
Multiple platforms host discussions about appropriate ballpark etiquette and fan behavior. The incident reignited debates about who deserves foul balls and home runs hit into spectator areas.
Positive developments emerged from the controversy when Miami Marlins staff intervened. Team representatives provided Lincoln with merchandise and baseball memorabilia to compensate for his disappointing experience.
Philadelphia Phillies player Harrison Bader later met with the young fan personally. Bader presented Lincoln with a signed baseball bat, transforming the negative situation into a memorable experience. The gesture demonstrated sportsmanship and community support following the viral incident.
The search for the actual woman’s identity continues while innocent individuals face unwarranted attention. Social media investigations have yet to definitively identify the person responsible for the LoanDepot Park confrontation that sparked nationwide discussion about fan conduct at professional baseball games.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
