Twins third baseman Miguel Sano will not be suspended by the league in relation to a recent allegation of assault, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (links to Twitter). A league statement indicates that “insufficient evidence” was uncovered during an investigation.
Late last year, as detailed in full in the above link, the claims of assault led to the league to begin an investigation under the MLB-MLBPA Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Per the league, the efforts including a series of interviews — including of both Sano and the alleged victim — as well as a review of certain “available documents.”
Upon review of the evidence, the commissioner determined that the evidence was lacking to apply any discipline, citing “conflicting and inconsistent witness accounts and the absence of contemporaneous substantiation.” While details are understandably not available, it is perhaps also fair to note that there was some potential question — based upon the allegations as stated — as to whether the sexual assault prong of the policy would be deemed to apply to this situation.
Here’s the full definition from the policy itself:
“Sexual assault refers to a range of behaviors, including a completed nonconsensual sex act, an attempted nonconsensual sex act, and/or nonconsensual sexual contact. Lack of consent is inferred when a person uses force, harassment, threat of force, threat of adverse personnel or disciplinary action, or other coercion, or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, unconscious or legally incapable of consent.”
Barring any new evidence that might come to the league’s attention, it would appear that Sano will be able to open the 2018 season with the Minnesota organization and play without limitation.
WHY!
Because MLB isn’t judge, jury, executioner (Roger Goodell)
This is a serious crime, and serious accusation, but you can’t just suspend him to send a message if you have “insufficient evidence”
It would be NFL Ezekiel Elliot situation all over again.
Just a guess, but my best guess is “Upon review of the evidence, the commissioner determined that the evidence was lacking to apply any discipline, citing “conflicting and inconsistent witness accounts and the absence of contemporaneous substantiation.” “
Because there was insufficient evidence, as the article states…
No evidence against him besides what she said
Indians fan?
I would LOVE to hear an answer from you on this. Why do YOU think he should have been found guilty of anything/ suspended? Were you there? My guess is you were not. So please explain to me your outrage to him not being suspended.
Because sometimes the accusers lie because they have an agenda. Just because an athlete is accused doesn’t mean they’re guilty.
Glad to see the correct ruling on Sano
Yet Mlb has suspended other players when there wasn’t much evidence.
Which leads you to believe there was nothing. If there were a shred of evidence that she was telling the truth, he’d likely be suspended.
In all of the others police were called and there was corroborating evidence. Here it was just “he said, she said.”
Which players suspended didn’t have much evidence?
Derek Norris was suspended due to an old allegation via an instagram post from an ex-girlfriend, the police were never called nor were there any orders of protection in Norris’ case. Perhaps the ex-girlfriends word was taken as gospel or more likely, she had tangible evidence in the form of text messages or a substantial number of friends who could confirm what was allegedly said or done. But Norris is one, I’m sure there are more.
Many people seem to be upset by the decision Manfred made.
But maybe he’s innocent, or there wasn’t enough evidence to prove guilt. Should we hand out guilty verdicts to pretend we’ve made progress on these issues when we really haven’t? Shouldn’t we be relieved that no sexual harassment (or likely no) took place?
Ive never understood those who want to see someone be guilty just to pretend we made progress on issues such as harassment, sexism, racism etc.
Don’t you know how America works? As soon as you’re accused of something, you’re absolutely 100% guilty. Unless you’re Zeke, then you can go around pulling womens shirts down while you’re being investigated for sexual assault and people don’t see anything wrong with it. Cause Cowboys
Well said, Chri.
Either way, Yankee fans will have a field day with him at the stadium. Remember what they chanted every time Luis Polonia came to bat?
And remember how they cheered every time Chapman came out of the pen?
GOT EEM
He’s notoriously undisciplined with offseason health. He had a poor reputation in the minors. He’s trending towards a bat-only 1B/DH. He’ll want big bucks longterm. Everything adds up towards the Twins dealing him for a decent haul in the next winter or two.
If he can hit 250-260 with 40-50 HRs, I could care less about his offseason training. His on field performance is all that matters.
His atrocious offseason training habits factor into on field performance, though. Ability to play the field, baserunning, and health/durability are all impeded when he shows up to camp 20-30 pounds overweight every year.
I bet he’ll hit enough doubles and homers to bring Buxton home. David Ortiz was fat and so are a third of the players in MLB.
I want to see him hit the ball hard and far. His weight is a non-factor unless it shows up on the field as blatantly missing things because fat gets in the way like he can’t bend over to pick up the ball. Too much weight is put on to “how they showed up to camp”. Yeah it would be nice if players put it Berrios level work, but I’d also want players to get to 100% and be well rested for a grueling season.
I’ve heard a lot of bad talk about his work ethic… the point where it’s one of those situation where if there is too much smoke there is fire. But so far this spring he has hit, and that’s what he’s paid to do. his regular season stats match every other player. So let’s wait til the season to start judging whether his offseason was so detrimental to his play.
Maybe Ortiz could introduce Sano to his DR. In the Dominican
and he can get some of that special “medicine” that made Ortiz so good in Boston!
If he’s so obviously downtrending, surely the other teams could see that too.
Thank God. If he did anything shame on him but this all seemed fishy from the start. Also at the timing where someone new everyday was getting accused. Think it was more of an attention/money grab attempt. And no way am I condoning any behavior associated to the claim. Just happy both sides of the left infield didn’t get suspended.
Please explain how this was in any way conceivably a “money grab”.
Based on the fact that there was no hard evidence and the lady changed her story a couple times maybe?
“Based on the fact that there was no hard evidence and the lady changed her story a couple times maybe?”
1. She did not change her story.
2. Not sure what “hard” evidence you are looking for. This was not a sexual encounter so no DNA kit, etc. The testimony of witnesses is likely the only evidence in existence—for both sides. The fact that there isn’t what you consider “hard” evidence does not mean that no crime occurred.
3. Your response was to the question of a “money grab”. So where is she seeking to grab money?
A civil suit isn’t the only place you can “grab money”. Public appearances, interviews, books, articles etc… publicity as a victim gets you opportunities.
I’m not saying I agree with the accusation, just pointing out that there is merit to the theory.
first of all she never changed her story at any point and made no move to get any money out of the story at all so that’s completely ridiculous claim most likely it is true but there’s no way to prove it so there won’t be any suspension
The story seemed fishy to me because A. she made herself sound like some kind of super hero with the way she told it and B. she remembered very specific, almost minute by minute details, that would be incredibly hard to remember years later but she told the story like it happened yesterday. Not saying that means it was all made up but makes you question it.
It’s amazing how this is so difficult for some people to grasp.
Not being disciplined doesn’t mean he’s not guilty. Two years later, no (willing) witnesses, no video….yeah, tough to believe they couldn’t find anything.
So, some fans assume this was about money. Problem with that theory is that she hasn’t filled any charges, civil, or criminal.. She hasn’t made any kind of public appearances to retell the story on camera, no book deals; just gave a few interviews when she initially revealed what had happened.
Maybe–just maybe–everything she said from the start explains it all: that she just wanted to let it out and be done with it.
But from the remarks teammates and former teammates have made, it doesn’t sound like he’s been a perfect gentleman. When someone he shares 7 months of the year with refers to him as a “ticking time bomb” regarding his behavior around women, and others offer similar sentiments, there’s certainly some reason for reservations.
Maybe she was waiting for him to be found guilty or suspended to try for the money! Just because he was accused, doesn’t mean he’s guilty! Only 2 people know the truth
and it’s NOBODY on these here posting stuff! It’s all opinions!
While the alleged victim still has the right to sue him for monetary damages, given the fact that MLB found “conflicting and inconsistent witness accounts and the absence of contemporaneous substantiation”, it reduces her odds of prevailing in a civil case she presumably (on MillCity’s part) would have brought against him.
MillCity is entitled to his/her opinion that is was a money grab, and you are entitled to to see it otherwise.
Is there evidence that it was an attempted money-grab? No, but by the same token there is no evidence that it wasn’t.
Hence – differing opinions.
The absence of a civil suit, as you rightly note, lends poorly for the premise of a “money grab”. Nor did she make any efforts to solicit a settlement (which would be done before going “public”, since the “going public” is your leverage to solicit a hush-money settlement).
I’d suggest “hush money” isn’t simply a differing opinion, but an outright baseless and illogical claim. All the same, I do respect your thoughtful analysis/response. I doubt MillCity gave it similar thought when he tossed “hush money” out there as a possibility…
“Is there evidence that it was an attempted money-grab? No, but by the same token there is no evidence that it wasn’t.”
Is there evidence that you are posting from a Russian troll farm in Vladivostok? No, but by the same token there is no evidence that you aren’t. Is there evidence that you are plotting to overthrow the US gubmint? No, but by the same token there is no evidence that you aren’t.”
“Hence-differing opinions.”
Right. Just different opinions, Comrade. Pfft.
Damn, you found me out. BTW, it’s not Vladivostok – that’s a s**thole.
No, I’m embedded in Brooklyn in the immigrant community.
мы уже здесь.
Sorry, my friend, but according to the prevailing liberal opinion of this era, the era of absolutes is over.
How do you know she didn’t try to get hush money
How do you know there isn’t an invisible blue bunny flying around your head?
Because it’s a statistically improbable scenario, and there’s zero evidence.
Having known the accuser for several years, I find her account to be honest and correct, but often times that is not enough for a court of law, or even for a workplace grievance. Not being disciplined does not mean that he is innocent any more than being accused makes you guilty. The only people who can know what happened are the two involved. The rest is speculation.
Well said. I’ve known the accuser for several years as well. She’s been put through hell over this.
Like Sano hasn’t ?
Given the fact that the overwhelming majority of us know neither the accuser nor the accused, and given the fact that everybody lies, we don’t know who to believe.
Not too surprising to me. Woman claimed it happened years ago, therefore, not much evidence would be available to prove he’s guilty.
A lot of people just want Sano suspended because of being blamed for something he may, or may not have done. If there’s no evidence backing up this claim, then why would they suspend/punish him?
meanwhile Stephen Wright gets 15 days for yelling at his wife.
This attempted rapist should have been banned from baseball for life. Wheres Kenesaw Mountain Landis when we need him?
Again, if there were remotely any evidence that she was telling the truth there certainly would have been a punishment handed out.
But just “she said” is not enough. And shouldn’t be for you either. We don’t know what happened, either way.
There’s no evidence to back up what she said. So we can just accuse people now of this, and they’ll be prosecuted, regardless if there is evidence that they did it or not?
bruinsfan94, you realize if he was banned for life based on one unsubstantiated account, (no evidence, just her story) it would open a Pandora’s box for accusations.
You took this personally, which leads me to believe you have zero-tolerance, despite zero evidence (other than her statement)
Remember innocent until proven guilty? Why is it the other way around with you, in this case? You seem one of the most level-headed, and objective posters here. That’s why it surprises me to hear this from you.
Um, xabial. You do realize that Bruinsfan is trolling, right?
You should be sued by Sano for slander
Slander is speech. Libel is print.
Be a smarter troll.
Bruinsfan94!
The accuser’s account of what happened:
“He was lined up to do an autograph signing at the store I volunteered at. He made a comment while we got our picture together that he had seen me during the games. During the signing, he kept trying to flirt with me (I didn’t reciprocate). After the signing was over, he decided that he wanted to go to the Apple store before he left the mall. As him, his agent, and the guy I worked for walked away, he grabbed my wrist and made me go with them. (I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I just went along). We spend around a half hour inside that store before it was time for him and his agent to leave. Their car was pulled around to a back hallway door. As we got outside, the athlete decided he needed to use the restroom. I asked my boss where it was and pointed to the door we just walked thru. Apparently I was too close, and the athlete took that as a signal that I wanted him to grab me and try to take me back thru that door.
I pulled back as he held onto my wrist. It hurt, how badly he was grasping at my wrist, but he wouldn’t let go. I wasn’t going to give up my fight though. He then leaned down and tried to kiss me, more than once. Every time he did, I said no and kept pulling back. I was in a squatted position with my wrist throbbing. I screamed, no one came to help me. He finally gave up after a solid ten mins of fighting to pull me thru that door. I don’t even want to think of what he may have done, had he got me thru that door. No, he didn’t rape me, but he sure did assault me. When I said no, it should have been the end of it. He should have respected that and stopped. Instead, he hurt me and kept going.
The next day, my body was sore all over from having to fight off this athlete that thought he was entitled to take advantage of me against my will.”
So with this decision I guess Manfred and MLB are saying this did not happen and this woman is a liar. Because otherwise, if there is an ounce of truth to her story then he should have been suspended.
Unless of course she’s changed her mind a mere 3 months later about what happened for whatever reason.
I hate to believe anyone would lie but this accusation is far fetched. Forced her to walk to an apple store? Two other guys present… she could have ran/screamed at anytime. The fact she miss represents being forced by here wrist to the apple store is peculiar. 10 minutes of fighting sano- dude coulda ray riced 99% of the female population and taken them anywhere he wanted in a matter of seconds. I doubt sano was innocent by any means, but this lady was undoubtedly not kidnapped, and is blatantly miss representing the facts years later. Tell the truth without the BS. You said no and he grabbed your wrist and didnt take no for an answer immediately. Doesnt matter if you went with him and flirted and yadada- No is no and ignoring it is pathetic enough. He deserves a good beatdown. But the hyperbole and outlandish claims kept him from being punished. Sounds like the victim is lying because she feels like it was her fault she put herself in the situation. She is blameless for the incident and despite the horrible reporting/handling of the matter deserves to kick the douche in the nuts. Does manfred have that authority???
The ten minute thing says it all. For that to be possible either she and Sano have similar physical strength (which is absurd) or Sano was very deliberately trying not overpower her (which would contradict the entire point of all of this). But, that’s how the brain remembers stuff like that. The lens of trauma magnifies the details. She’s not *lying*, but the duration and magnitude of the incident is the first thing to get warped beyond recognition in stories like this. The brain is engineered to keep human beings alive, not to recount past events with accuracy and detail. She felt threatened and her brain went into fight or flight mode, and that’s how she remembers it. Sano seemed 14 feet tall and the incident seemed 3 hours long.
More likely, Sano probably thought she was a groupie type and went in for something, she was caught off guard and went into survive mode, and it probably didn’t take 1 minute let alone 10.
I don’t think she’s a $$ or notoriety chaser (although they exist and are lurking in the shadows of every ballplayer bar) and I don’t think she’s lying. I don’t doubt she felt victimized by whatever actually happened. I think it’s fair to assume that Sano made some kind of pass at her. Beyond that I think it’s all a perception thing. We know what it felt like to her but I’d bet an imaginary $20 that a theoretical security camera would have seen something a lot different.
Sanos account of what happened! I didn’t do it! See what I did there? So it’s his word against hers!
They spent 3 months investigating this. The accusations were made in late December. I am sure they researched the matter as thoroughly as they could and there was just nothing to hang a case on. The league has not come out and said she was lying, they said they’ll leave the door open for further evidence, so I’m not sure what some of you are getting so upset about. They just reached the conclusion that there was no actual evidence that anything happened, which is not quite the same as having evidence that nothing happened. If any accusation automatically led to a suspension you could literally dismantle a team you don’t like by accusing a few of their star players. I’m not saying that’s what happened here, I’m just in favor of the obvious due diligence that is being taken.
Well said. I believe that MLB is doing this correctly as well.
So wright gets suspended but not sano
And what conclusion do you take from that?
Sano is not Wright here
Allegations are not convictions. Dani says he is innocent and should be treated as such unless proven otherwise.
“Proof” isn’t necessary in employer disciplinary actions. It’s not a criminal court.
You’re right that it’s not criminal court, and it takes a WHOLE lot less evidence to net him some sort of punishment. Shouldn’t that tell you there’s virtually no evidence that her story is true instead of going on this bizarre witch hunt of one of your own team’s players? The league found nothing to suspend him on, not just the twins. And it’s not like he’s some iconic Derek Jeteresque figure you could make a case that the league is “protecting” or something. There’s just nothing out there to verify what she said, and that’s that.
There’s always a standard of evidence. It’s not always as high as criminal court but just about any action taken without “proof” isn’t going to stand up to much scrutiny.
It’s not about what you know as fact, but what you can prove! That’s the basis for every court case !
HoPlz