The New York Yankees have a sticky situation in letting Domingo German return to the team. He served an 81 game suspension in 2019 for breaking the domestic violence protocol. He slapped his wife/mother of his child in public and later, in a drunken fit, became violent and had to be calmed down.
“According to multiple league sources, including a person with knowledge of the MLB investigation, Germán was intoxicated and became physically violent toward his girlfriend until she hid in a locked room. The victim is said to have contacted another Yankees player’s wife, and the couple drove to Germán’s home late at night. The victim remained with the teammate’s wife while the player attempted to calm down Germán, who is said to have been angry and belligerent.
“The incident was reported to MLB by a different member of the Yankees staff, whom Germán’s girlfriend had told about it. The victim did not call law enforcement, so there is no police report from the night of the assault.â€
In this writer’s eyes, there is no place or excuse for domestic violence in any form, and due to any incidence, it is unacceptable, period. But that being said, anyone who shows contrition should be allowed a second chance; if they screw up, then that’s the end of them. I fully understand Zack Britton’s statement that there is no place for this on or off the field.
I also understand that this is a very sensitive subject. I am aware that some think domestic violence is not that big a deal and forgivable. Well, folks, it is a big deal, but if someone shows true contrition and changes his life for the better, that person deserves a second chance to show that they are indeed changed and that the occurrence will never happen again. They have a lot to prove to their teammates and the public alike.
The New York Yankees have appeared to take the pitcher back into the fold and show that he can be the pitcher he was, and at the same time, he is a changed man. That being the case, the teammates should stand behind him as it is the best for the team. If they treat him as an outcast and does not deserve that second chance, it will work for no one. German will not be the pitcher that he can be, and the team will lose out in the long run.
Luke Voit is on the right track in showing support for Geman.
“According to multiple league sources, including a person with knowledge of the MLB investigation, Germán was intoxicated and became physically violent toward his girlfriend until she hid in a locked room. The victim is said to have contacted the wife of another Yankees player, and the couple drove to Germán’s home late at night. The victim remained with the teammate’s wife, while the player attempted to calm down Germán, who is said to have been angry and belligerent.
“The incident was reported to MLB by a different member of the Yankees staff, whom Germán’s girlfriend had told about it. The victim did not call law enforcement, so there is
Yankees right-hander Domingo Germán issued a public apology on Wednesday for his actions on the evening of Sept. 16, 2019, which precipitated an 81-game suspension for violation of Major League Baseball’s policy against domestic violence.
Germán said that he is thankful for an opportunity to resume his Major League career. The hurler previously addressed his teammates in two separate sessions this week. He also has spoken privately with general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone, whom he thanked for their patience.
“I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to the Steinbrenner family, my teammates, the front office and those around me who love me,†Germán said through an interpreter. “I have made mistakes of which I’m not proud, and for that I want to apologize.“When the team needed me most in 2019 before we started the playoffs, I wasn’t there for them, and for that I ask your forgiveness. It was very difficult for me not to be pitching and helping my team. Having to watch from afar hurt me a lot, but I also understand that I am responsible for putting myself in that position.â€
At least one New York Yankee player, Luke Voit, has shown his support for German.
“We have his back, but he’s skating on thin ice and he needs to get his life together.†For good measure, Voit added: “He messed up. A lot of guys look at him differently now, but I believe in second chances, and the guy deserves a second chance.â€
Giancarlo Stanton, more diplomatic while still making his point, added: “In the clubhouse, we all have difficult things going on, some a lot worse than others. But it’s our job to support in the right way when given the opportunity.â€
Geman also praised Britton for offering “really good advice on how I can improve†and voiced understanding for Britton’s sharp rhetoric.
“He has done enough to earn the opportunity to be here and compete and to be a part of this team,†manager Aaron Boone said of German. “Now the proof is in the daily life that he leads.”