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Tigers' Delmon Young Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Harassment Outside NYC Hotel

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Former Detroit Tigers slugger Delmon Young pleaded guilty on Wednesday to aggravated harassment for shouting an anti-Semitic slur and tackling a man to the ground outside a New York City hotel last spring.

The 27-year-old player, who became a free agent after the World Series, was ordered to complete 10 days of community service and enroll in a program at the Museum of Tolerance New York as part of the Manhattan District Attorney's office restorative justice program. His lawyer didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Young was standing outside of the Hilton New York and was accused of yelling anti-Jewish epithets at a group of tourists, tussling with them and tackling one to the ground in April when the Tigers were in town to play the New York Yankees.

Young apologized to his team and was suspended without pay for seven days.

In the court-ordered program, Young will participate in interactive workshops, videos, guided discussions and special instruction by museum educators to explore issues of prejudice, diversity and tolerance, the district attorney's office said.

The museum reports progress back to prosecutors. If Young completes the program successfully he'll be able to withdraw his plea and plead guilty to a lesser charge.

"Dispositions for defendants charged with bias-related crimes need to be thoughtful and tailored toward healing both the defendant and the entire targeted community," said District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.

Detroit is prepared to let the designated hitter sign with another team.

In his seventh season in the big leagues, Young hit .267 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs for the American League champion Tigers. He hit three home runs and had a .313 batting average in the postseason.

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(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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