The Phillies Karen Misidentification Controversy: Cheryl Richardson-Wagner and Leslie-Ann Kravitz

On September 5, 2025, during a Philadelphia Phillies versus Miami Marlins game at LoanDepot Park in Miami, a viral incident sparked widespread online outrage and a modern-day social media manhunt. A woman, later dubbed “Phillies Karen,” was filmed confronting a father, Drew Feltwell, who had caught a home run ball hit by Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader and given it to his son, Lincoln, for his 10th birthday. The woman demanded the ball, claiming it was hers, and the confrontation was captured on video, quickly spreading across platforms like X and TikTok. The incident led to intense speculation about the woman’s identity, with two names Cheryl Richardson-Wagner and Leslie-Ann Kravitz emerging as the primary targets of online accusations. However, both women were falsely identified, highlighting the dangers of social media-driven witch hunts.

The Incident and Its Aftermath

The controversy began in the fourth inning when Bader’s home run landed in the left-field stands. Drew Feltwell secured the ball and handed it to his son, but a woman in a Phillies hoodie approached, insisting the ball belonged to her. The exchange, described as aggressive by Feltwell in an NBC10 interview, culminated in him reluctantly giving her the ball. The video of the incident went viral, earning the woman the moniker “Phillies Karen” and drawing widespread condemnation for her actions toward a child.

Social media users quickly mobilized to identify the woman, and within hours, Cheryl Richardson-Wagner and Leslie-Ann Kravitz were named as suspects. The speculation led to a barrage of online harassment, including hateful comments and false claims about their personal and professional lives.

Cheryl Richardson-Wagner: A Red Sox Fan Caught in the Crossfire

Cheryl Richardson-Wagner, a resident of Moorestown, New Jersey, became one of the first targets. Social media users flooded her Facebook page with accusations, prompting her to respond publicly. On September 6, 2025, she posted a statement denying any involvement: “OK everyone… I’m NOT the crazy Philly Mom (but I sure would love to be as thin as she is and move as fast)… and I’m a Red Sox fan.” She emphasized that she was not at the game in Florida and even changed her Facebook profile picture to her statement and her cover photo to the Boston Red Sox logo to reinforce her allegiance. In a comment, she noted, “Apparently I am trending on Twitter. I wonder if I will get apologies from all of these people when the real culprit is discovered?”

Despite her clear denial, the harassment continued, with some users falsely claiming she was a nurse or had social and political ties in New Jersey. Another Cheryl Richardson-Wagner, identified as a nurse working at Bayada Home Health Care since 2006, was also targeted when her LinkedIn profile went viral, though she did not publicly comment on the accusations. The misidentification caused significant distress, as Richardson-Wagner’s name was repeatedly linked to the incident across platforms like X.

Leslie-Ann Kravitz: False Employment Rumors

The second woman implicated was Leslie-Ann Kravitz, who was rumored to be an administrator at Hammonton Public Schools in New Jersey. Social media posts, including one from an X account on September 6, 2025, claimed she was the “Phillies Karen” and had been fired from her job due to the backlash. However, these claims were entirely unsubstantiated. On the same day, Hammonton Public Schools issued a statement on Facebook: “The woman identified on social media as ‘Phillies Karen’ is not, and has never been an employee of the Hammonton Public Schools located in Hammonton, New Jersey. Social media and news reports indicating that she is, are incorrect.” The district added a humorous note, suggesting that anyone from their community would have “caught the ball bare-handed in the first place, avoiding this entire situation.”

The false accusations against Kravitz spread rapidly, fueled by unverified X posts and amplified by the viral nature of the incident. The school’s statement aimed to quell the rumors, but the damage was already done, with Kravitz’s name circulating widely online. As of September 9, 2025, no evidence has emerged to confirm the existence of a Leslie-Ann Kravitz connected to the incident or the school district.

The Dangers of Online Misidentification

The “Phillies Karen” saga underscores the perils of social media vigilantism. Both Cheryl Richardson-Wagner and Leslie-Ann Kravitz faced unwarranted harassment based on unverified claims, with neither woman having any connection to the incident. The real “Phillies Karen” remains unidentified, and the frenzy to name her has led to a modern-day witch hunt, as described by Sporting News, impacting innocent individuals. False rumors about firings and professional affiliations, particularly the claims about Hammonton Public Schools, further amplified the misinformation.

The incident also sparked broader discussions about fan etiquette and the power of social media to amplify outrage. While the Miami Marlins mitigated the situation by giving Lincoln a goodie bag and another baseball, and Bader met the boy to sign a bat, the focus remained on the unidentified woman’s actions. Fake apology posts, including one from a Facebook account claiming “Phillies Karen” could not leave her home without being booed, added to the confusion, but these were debunked as fabrications with no credible source.

Conclusion

The misidentification of Cheryl Richardson-Wagner and Leslie-Ann Kravitz as “Phillies Karen” highlights the risks of jumping to conclusions in the age of viral media. Both women were unfairly targeted, with Richardson-Wagner actively defending herself and Kravitz’s alleged connection to Hammonton Public Schools swiftly debunked. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the spread of misinformation and the real-world consequences for those caught in the crosshairs of online outrage. As the search for the true “Phillies Karen” continues, it’s a reminder to approach such controversies with skepticism and care, ensuring that innocent individuals are not harmed in the process.