Major League Baseball and the MLB Player’s Union have announced a new “Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.” The full announcement can be found here: Twitter link.
Reaching agreement on a policy of this kind was long said to be a priority, especially in light of the multiple controversies that have engulfed the NFL in recent years. In its final form, the policy appears to empower Commissioner Rob Manfred to act strongly in the event that allegations arise or are found to be borne out by an investigation.
According to the policy, the Commissioner’s Office is tasked with investigating “all allegations of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in the Baseball community.” Notably, the Commissioner is vested with the authority to “place a player accused of” such behavior “on paid Administrative Leave for up to seven days while the allegations are investigated before making a disciplinary decision,” though players also have a mechanism to challenge that treatment “immediately.”
If the Commissioner finds that a player has committed one of the covered acts, he has broad power to determine the penalty. By its terms, the policy does not place any limitations on the type or duration of the punishment, providing that “the Commissioner can issue the discipline he believes is appropriate in light of the severity of the conduct” — regardless whether the player faces any criminal charge or conviction.
The primary check on the propriety of any punishment is through the arbitration process. Players can appeal to the MLB-MLBPA arbitration panel, which will determine whether the Commissioner had “just cause” for the discipline imposed. The panel can refer to prior league disciplinary precedent except for that involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse. (Effectively, then, the record of prior discipline in these arenas has been wiped clean and cannot be used to argue for a more limited punishment.)
The agreement includes more than just provision for investigation and punishment. Intervention, treatment, training, and education are all contemplated. It also provides for a 24-hour helpline for players and families and other such resources.
You never hear about these in baseball. I bet they are not that common.
Oh.. They have had ’em allrighty.. Check out the past of a few Tampa Bay Rays.. Elijah Dukes, Who Rays ownership even hired a personal “keeper” while he was still with them, to try and keep him out of trouble.. Nope.. Did no good..
Trying to remember the other Ray who had domestic abuse charges several years back.. Don’t think it was Delmon Young, tho he wasn’t exactly role model for behavior.
why wouldn’t the public hear about them? The public certainly hears about the NFL, the NHL and the NBA. The last time I heard about domestic violence was Manny way back in 2013. Not sure exactly about the date, but I would think the public would hear more, just given the amount of players there are compared to the other professional teams. Or is it just that baseball players are not as aggressive? Perhaps it has to do with the sport? For example, football players are paid to physically hurt their opponents, hockey permits fights and checks, NBA permits picks, baseball just has cleating, as far as I know. Lots of questions. I do not have answers.
Miguel Cabrera had a domestic altercation I believe
he got drunk and punched his wife i think.
The public certainly has heard about them. Brett Myers was fairly high profile…as were Kirby Puckett and Barry Bonds… even Bobby Cox.
I don’t know if it’s still widely occurring or we don’t hear about them all, but baseball has definitely had it’s share of cases in the past, simple research brings up a handful of cases from players all over the spectrum, and some notable names at that, it’s pretty depressing. I’d start naming some, but it’d probably be easier to search it yourself because it could be a potentially long comment if I do go listing names.
Everth Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Andruw Jones, Jeremy Jeffress, Chuck Knoblach, Bobby Cox, Kirby Puckett, Josh Lueke, Brett Myers, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Canseco, Albert Belle, Milton Bradley, Pedro Astacio, Wilfredo Cordero, Julio Lugo, Barry Bonds.
In 2014 Bud Selig said he couldn’t remember the last time MLB had a domestic violence incident. All of these, and perhaps a few more occured while he was commissioner. His memory should have atleast recalled Donnie Moore and his murder suicide incident.
Good to be ahead of the issue with a policy/rules before a painful incident, rather than making up the rules in an aftermath.
EXCELLENT point.
I think it’s great too…but I’m not sure MLB is ahead of issues in the game. I haven’t dug deeply and automatically, Donnie Moore comes to mind. There was also an issue with Miguel Cabrera and alcohol involving his wife.
Good for baseball for not waiting for its own Ray Rice moment. For once, nobody can say baseball is behind the times on something.
I have a list that I’m still awaiting the moderator to clear. Baseball is certainly not with the times on domestic violence issues. In 2014 Selig stated he couldn’t recall the last MLB domestic violence issue. That’s ignorant at best or disinengenous at worst….the list just involving his tenure in office is quite long and even involves a few hall of famers. Baseball might actually have a worse domestic violence history than the NFL. Perhaps people view domestic violence on different levels…because if someone would actually need to go back to 1989 to find an actual attempted murder-suicjde. I suppose if murder is the threshold, then baseball is certainly relatively pristine.