Marlins pitcher arrested after fighting police

TheBonger · 07-22-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

MIAMI (AP) -- Florida Marlins left-hander Scott Olsen departed on a road trip with the team Sunday despite his troubles of the past week, including a two-game suspension and an early-morning arrest after he allegedly fought with police.

Olsen was still scheduled to take his regular turn in the rotation at Arizona, manager Fredi Gonzalez said, although the decision wasn't final.

"We're still kicking it around," Gonzalez said. "For right now, he's starting on Wednesday."

Olsen was arrested around 4 a.m. Saturday after refusing to pull over and getting into a fight with police. He was booked on charges of driving under the influence, resisting an officer with violence and fleeing and eluding an officer.

Police say the 6-foot-5 Olsen kicked them when they tried to arrest him at his house, and they used a stun gun to subdue him. He had bruises on his forehead Sunday.

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The arrest came hours after Olsen pitched seven innings and earned a victory against the Cincinnati Reds -- his first game since serving a two-game suspension for insubordination and conduct detrimental to the team. The suspension stemmed from a confrontation July 15 with pitcher Sergio Mitre.

Following Friday's game, Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis said, Olsen spent time at Willis' house before they left separately. Willis said he was riding with a friend and on his way back home when Olsen called him after being arrested.

Willis and his companion went to Olsen's house. When they arrived, Olsen was in a police car.

"I took pride in going over there," Willis said. "Right or wrong, he's my friend and I care about him."

Willis said he talked to police but not to Olsen, who was by himself. Willis said he did talk with Olsen later.

"I told him things I went through in my life, and he could relate to that," Willis said. "He needs to have love around him and somebody positive around him."

Willis was arrested in December on a drunken-driving charge in Miami Beach, and the case is pending.

Olsen went 12-10 as a rookie last year, but he also scuffled with teammates at least twice, coming away from one encounter with a black eye. He also had a dugout confrontation with then-manager Joe Girardi.

Last month, Olsen was fined an unspecified amount for making an obscene gesture toward fans in Milwaukee.

"He's a good kid," Willis said. "He cares about people. He put himself in some unfortunate situations, but he's not a bad guy, and he'll prove that."

Olsen didn't talk to reporters Sunday.

credit-yahoo sports

Looks like he took a few good shots, what blows my mind is how MLB lets these guys get away with this stuff. Just like the Meyers guy that was beating on his woman then pitching two days later. The NBA and NFL get alot of flack over player transgressions and have cracked down on it, now its bout time MLB gets some heat for something besides Steriod abuse.