How about we start holding the players accountable for more than just lengthy suspensions for performance enhancing drug violations?
The current Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting pitcher and former All-Star has been under investigation since late June of assault against a woman named Lindsay Hill. The allegations are that Bauer had verbally and sexually assaulted Hill on two separate occasions. Hill originally filed a temporary restraining order against Bauer, 30, but a second request was denied by a judge on August 20.
Bauer was also uncovered to have a separate order against him going back to June 2020. While still a member of the Cleveland Indians, the prior allegations stem back to an incident in June 2017. The woman in this allegation has yet to be named, but death threats from Bauer were involved in the court reports obtained by The Washington Post.
I think if the past 18 months have told us anything, it would be that if The Washington Post uncovers a past report, you might want to start lawyering up pretty quick.
Ask the orange cheeto who incited an insurrection earlier this year…
Bauer was placed on leave by MLB on July 2, in what would be the first and only action the league has taken to date. The Dodgers pulled all Bauer-related merchandise from their team stores and cancelled his bobblehead promotion.
The investigation currently lies with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, as the evidence was turned over from the Pasadena Police Department.
Meanwhile, Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshawn Watson is preparing to suit up as the starting quarterback next weekend, all the while having sexual assault allegations from more than two dozen women looming overhead.
You can add this to the list of things that will forever loom over Bauer’s controversial career. Cutting his finger on a homemade drone forced him to leave Game Two of the 2016 World Series after just 21 pitches, when the cut reopened. Had Bauer remained, the Indians could have won the series in a sweep, instead of the Chicago Cubs winning in seven games. After being pulled from a game for a poor outing, Bauer turned and hurled a baseball over the center field fence from the pitching mound in protest. He was traded from Cleveland to the Cincinnati Reds just days later.
The Dodgers are all but assured of reaching the postseason for a ninth straight year. However, the team is locked into a first-place tie with the San Francisco Giants (85-49), in hopes to win the National League West for a ninth-straight year as well. Los Angeles is holding out hope that Bauer can be allowed to return before the end of the year.
At this point, I am rather surprised that the Dodgers and MLB have not agreed to shut down Bauer until the remainder of this story has played out. Unlike an injury, no one involved has any way of knowing how long this is going to drag on for. The Dodgers have to focus on baseball, while Bauer has to focus on cooperating with attorneys and authorities.
While any legal investigations are ongoing, MLB has extended Bauer’s leave every week with pay. Sorry, but Bauer is making $40 million this season, before endorsements. I think he can stand to lose a few paychecks. If he is found not guilty or criminal proceedings do not come to fruition, he would be entitled to his full salary.
I will say that at least this saga is enough to keep Bauer from relentlessly bitching at fans on Twitter.
-JC24