Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young issued an apology Friday saying he will do everything to “improve myself,” after he was arrested on hate crime charges in Manhattan early Friday morning.
Young was not in the Tiger’s lineup Friday night when the team took on the Yankees for the fist of three games in the Bronx.
He was released about an hour before the game, according to reports, and posted $5,000 bond at a hearing in Manhattan court. He now faces misdemeanor aggravated harassment charges after he allegedly barked an anti-Semitic epithet during a fight outside his hotel.
“I sincerely regret what happened last night,” Young said in a statement, where he apologized to his teammates, fans and the Tigers organization.
“I take this matter very seriously,” he added, “and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and player.”
The Tigers didn’t comment on their outfielder’s arrest following a 7-6 loss to the Yankees. Manager Jim Leyland reportedly told a reporter to “get lost,” multiple times when he was asked about the incident involving Young.
The team released a statement saying they are aware of the matter, but declined to comment, citing club policy that restricts them from commenting on legal matters.
“As we understand it,” the Tigers said, “this is an allegation and we need to allow the legal process to take its course. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”
According to reports, the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when Young was standing outside a Manhattan hotel. Police said a panhandler wearing a yarmulke approached a group of Chicago tourists outside the hotel where they were staying. The tourists then walked toward the hotel and Young allegedly started yelling anti-Semitic epithets, according to reports, and a physical confrontation ensued.
The group then went inside the hotel, and Young soon followed. That’s when police were called. Young was sent to a local hospital because he was intoxicated, according to reports.
Young’s attorney released a statement to the Detroit Free Press saying, “There are many false allegations…I am confident that the legal process will separate fact from fiction and discredit these reports.”
-With Associated Press
