Detroit Tigers' Delmon Young Arrested In Midtown On Hate Crime Harassment Charge
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Detroit Tigers left fielder Delmon Young was arraigned early Friday evening on a hate crime harassment charge after police said he got into a fight with a group of men and yelled anti-Semitic epithets.
The judge has set bail at $5,000 cash or bond.
Young was standing outside of the Hilton New York at about 1:30 a.m., where he was staying ahead of a series with the New York Yankees that started Friday night. Nearby, a group of about four Chicago tourists staying at the hotel were approached by a panhandler wearing a yarmulke and a Star of David around his neck. After, as the group walked up to the hotel doors, Young started yelling anti-Semitic epithets, police said.
Young apparently got into a tussle with a 32-year-old man, who sustained scratches to his elbows, according to police. He also allegedly shouted "You bunch of [expletive] Jews."
Young pushed, shoved and tackled the man, who fell to the ground, police said.
Both Young and the group of tourists went inside the hotel, and at some point police were called and Young was arrested, police said. He was arrested on a charge of aggravated harassment as a hate crime.
Young was first taken to a hospital because he was believed to be intoxicated, police said. He was later taken to a police precinct.
Late Friday, Young issued an apology via statement, saying "I sincerely regret what happened last night.'' He added "I take this matter very seriously and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and player.''
Tigers President and General Manager Dave Dombrowski had no comment. The team said in a statement that it was aware of the incident. Because of a provision in baseball's labor contract, the team said that any allegation involving alcohol is referred to baseball's employee assistance program.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time," the Tigers said.
Young is hitting .242 with 1 home run and 5 RBIs, and is signed to a one-year contract for $6,725,000. He can become a free agent after the season. He was not in the lineup for Friday night's game against the Yankees.
In 2006, Young was suspended for 50 games without pay by the International League for throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the chest. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft, was ejected in the first inning after taking a called third strike. He lingered in the batter's box, walked away and then threw his bat end over end at the umpire, hitting him in the chest.
The incident was caught on video.
Young has played for the Tigers since last season, spending two seasons before with the Minnesota Twins. He's the younger brother of former outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young.
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