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Andrew Rector
sued the Walt Disney Co unit, the Yankees and Major League
Baseball's Internet arm for defamation and intentional
infliction of emotional distress over comments by Dan Shulman
and John Kruk during the April 13, 2014 game, in a video clip
that was later posted online.
The announcers discussed Rector's appearing to sleep through a
standing ovation after a Yankee home run, missing a chance to
consume chicken fingers with the man next to him, and comparing
his physical appearance to that of Kruk's.
Bronx Supreme Court Justice Julia Rodriguez, however, said the
comments were not defamatory, and at worst, reflected hyperbole
or a looseness of words. She also said Rector was on camera for
just 31 seconds of the three-hour game.
Valentine Okwara, a lawyer for Rector, on Friday said he had
advised his client that "there is room for appeal."
The decision is dated Aug. 17 but received little attention
until this week.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by
Bernadette Baum)
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