Vindicated Cubs fan from Lake in the Hills doesn't want to be a Bartman

Over and over again, Daniel DeLaPaz told Cubs security officers the same thing: I didn't do it.

Turns out he wasn't lying.

Initially blamed for throwing a beer at Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino during the fifth inning of Wednesday night's Cubs game, the 30-year-old Lake in the Hills resident was hauled from his seat, detained and threatened with arrest.

But he was innocent - as widely circulated video of the incident has proved.

The actual beverage tosser was Bartlett resident John Macchione, who attended the game with a cousin of DeLaPaz's and was seated nearby. Macchione later surrendered to police and has been charged with battery and illegal conduct within a sports facility, both misdemeanors.

Although he's been vindicated by the police, DeLaPaz still has misgivings about how he was treated at Wrigley.

"What they did to me was uncalled for," DeLaPaz told the Daily Herald on Friday.

He's also concerned he'll be tied to the now-notorious beer bath long after the season ends.

"I don't know if some people are going to associate me (with it)," DeLaPaz said. "I hope not."

DeLaPaz had not met Macchione before Wednesday. When he arrived at Wrigley for the game, all he wanted was a Cubs win.

With the Cubs already behind in the fifth inning DeLaPaz was watching Victorino camp under a flyball when the outfielder was unexpectedly hit by the beer.

DeLaPaz was stunned.

"It's not something you see every day," DeLaPaz said. "He made an incredible catch."

Moments later, with sports fans around the world watching, DeLaPaz was yanked from the bleachers and taken to a security office.

On the way, DeLaPaz said, a Phillies fan threw something at him.

"I wish they would have thrown him out of the game," DeLaPaz said.

Although he repeatedly declared his innocence, nobody was buying it. But eventually someone realized DeLaPaz wasn't their man, and he was freed.

After the game, DeLaPaz learned Macchione was the real culprit.

"We all make mistakes, but there's one thing I know - I'm not going to throw a cup of beer at somebody," DeLaPaz said.

DeLaPaz has tickets to more Cubs games this season and will go back. But just since Wednesday night, people have stopped him and called him a celebrity for how he was treated at the game.

He doesn't feel good about that.

"I don't want to be labeled as the next (Steve) Bartman," DeLaPaz said.