x
Breaking News
More () »

On eve of return, Aroldis Chapman says Latin players 'easy targets'

Aroldis Chapman, set to join the New York Yankees on Monday after a 30-game suspension, said Major League Baseball’s domestic-violence policy makes it too easy for players of Latin American descent to be disproportionately punished.

Aroldis Chapman, set to join the New York Yankees on Monday after a 30-game suspension, said Major League Baseball’s domestic-violence policy makes it too easy for players of Latin American descent to be disproportionately punished.

Chapman, the All-Star relief pitcher and Cuban defector who was traded to the Yankees after an October domestic violence incident with his girlfriend became public, is expected to be activated on Monday when the Yankees start a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. In an interview with the New York Times, Chapman indicated Latino players make easy targets due to their unfamiliarity with American culture and their newfound wealth.

“Unfortunately, that’s the way it is,” Chapman told the Times. “We make a lot of money, everyone wants a piece of it, and we end up looking bad. When I had the problem, everyone thinks I did something wrong; in social media, people are saying I hit my girlfriend.”

 

Police in Davie, Fla., declined to press charges against Chapman for the incident at his home, citing insufficient evidence and uncooperative witnesses. Chapman was under investigation after his girlfriend, Cristina Barnea, told police an argument with Chapman became physical.

Later, Chapman fired eight shots from a handgun into a wall in his garage, as Barnea - with whom Chapman has a child - hid in the bushes outside the home.

“It was just an argument with your partner that everyone has,” he told the Times. “I’ve even argued with my mother. When you are not in agreement with someone, we Latin people are loud when we argue.”

Chapman agreed to the 30-game suspension and became the first player disciplined under MLB’s domestic violence policy, which was agreed upon with the players’ association in August. However, four other players have come under investigation, and two of them – Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera and Colorado shortstop Jose Reyes – are on paid leave and will likely be suspended. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was not disciplined for a public incident with his sister.

Puig and Olivera, like Chapman, are Cuban defectors. Reyes is from the Dominican Republic.

Chapman, 28, lost 30 days of his $11.33 million 2016 salary, but remains eligible for free agency after this season. He’s expected to take over duties as the Yankees’ closer from Andrew Miller.

“I didn’t do anything,” added Chapman, who has been working out at the club’s Tampa facility during his suspension. “People are thinking that it’s something serious; I have not put my hands on anyone, didn’t put anyone in danger. Since I didn’t do anything like that, I’m not thinking about it. That is in the past; now, I’m thinking about more important things: my family, kids, my career.” 

GALLERY: Notable MLB suspensions

 

 

 

Before You Leave, Check This Out