Tigers' Delmon Young Released On Bail Following Alleged Hate-Filled Rant In Midtown
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A Detroit Tigers player is out of jail on Saturday morning, but he's still facing serious trouble after allegedly taking part in a racially-charged fight outside his Midtown hotel.
Outfielder Delmon Young had nothing to say to CBS 2 as he left court on Friday evening, just one hour before game time against the Yankees. Naturally, the 26-year-old never made it onto the field.
He was arrested earlier in the day for what police sources said was drunken fighting and a hate-filled rant against Jews.
"I'm Jewish, and went to Yeshiva through eighth grade, so to hear something like that is really offensive," baseball fan Scott Guttner told CBS 2.
Police said early Friday morning that the Tigers' left fielder got into an argument with a group of men outside the team's hotel on 54th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. Police said Young saw them give money to a panhandler wearing a yarmulke, and then allegedly pushed one of the men to the ground and made a disparaging comment about Jews.
"It's tough to see people in sports doing that," one man said. "You'd like to think they'd be a little more of a role model."
Young plead not guilty to misdemeanor assault and aggravated harassment as a hate crime. He was released on $5,000 bail and has been put on the restricted list by the Tigers.
His lawyer said this is a big misunderstanding.
"I do not believe anti-Semitic statements were made," Daniel Ollen, Young's attorney, said. "I think this case has been blown out of proportion. I think that the claims are exaggerated, and I think we'll clear it up in court."
Young has a reputation for being a tough guy. Six years ago during a Minor League game he threw a bat at an umpire and was suspended for 50 games.
But in a statement the slugger said he's changed.
"I take this matter very seriously and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and a player," Young said.
If these allegations are true, how should Bud Selig and Major League Baseball discipline Delmon Young? Offer your thoughts and comments below...
