Barbarians At The Gate

On Aug. 23, an unidentified Blue Jays fan wearing baseball pants and a Toronto jersey (above) tried to sneak into the home dugout after a game at the Rogers Centre. It was a clever plan, but the would-be Jay isn't the year's most devious interloper. On Aug. 10, Ryan Leli, 18, of Long Island, flashed an NBC Sports I.D. card to get into Shea Stadium. The stunt worked--until Leli, who faked the card with his computer, asked Padres catcher Mike Piazza to pose for a picture. Leli was ejected from the clubhouse, and when he used his pass again eight days later, Shea security--and the police--were ready. He was charged with criminal impersonation, trespassing and possession of a forged instrument. He faces up to seven years in jail ... and joins the list of sports' best gate-crashers.

June 2006
After Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Miami, two unidentified women sneak into the Mavericks' locker room with the media horde--and make a beeline for the showers, where they allegedly snap pictures with their cellphones. Forward Josh Howard (right) chases them out, and security escorts them out of the building. Says Mavs guard Darrel Armstrong, "That might be the wildest situation I have ever seen."

October 2004
During a home football win over San Diego State, two spirited--very spirited-- New Mexico fans sneak into the Lobos' locker room and grab two helmets. Alas, the fans lack a solid exit strategy: They carry the helmets back to their seats, where police find them. One of the culprits hides a helmet behind his back, but both men are arrested for theft.

August 2004
During the men's synchronized diving event at the Athens Olympics, Ron Bensimhon, a fan from Montreal, scampers out of the stands and dives off the three-meter board. What gives him away as an intruder? His name isn't in the program ... and he's wearing a tutu and clown shoes. Bensimhon (left) is arrested and fined $3,225. "I wanted to have fun, but I never knew it would finish like this," he says.

February 2004
For a bit on Jimmy Kimmel Live before Super Bowl XXXVIII, comedian Sal Iacono dons a Panthers jersey, sneaks into media day and says he's Carolina kicker John Kasay (right). Several reporters fall for the gag and lob questions at him. Asked by one what winning the Super Bowl would mean, "Kasay" answers, "It wouldn't mean too much because I already make more money than you guys."

October 1999
Richard Stangler, 33, a fan at Busch Stadium, sneaks into the visitors' dugout while the Cubs are taking BP and swipes one of Sammy Sosa's bats. Stangler escapes into the stands--but leaves the bat in a seat while he buys a beer. Police track down Stangler and arrest him for theft. (His excuse: "Someone in a Cubs shirt" gave him the bat.) "If the guy had asked me," says Sosa (left), "I would have given it to him."