The latest incident of domestic violence has reared its ugly head in Major League Baseball and with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Julio Urias was arrested for misdemeanor battery against an “intimate partner” according to police reports.
Since Urias posted bail, further reports from multiple law enforcement sources have been cited in a TMZ Sports article that state the evidence is weak and appears there was no intent to injure.
In other words, it looks likely that Urias will not be charged with anything more than a misdemeanor, and even that may not happen. The Dodgers collective can breathe a sigh of relief to that news, however, there is still more to be done, more to learn about this incident, and all cases of domestic battery. While Urias is still on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues, many questions on what to do with Urias still remain.
Ask the Chicago Cubs what the right thing to do with Addison Russell is. They won’t be able to give you a straight answer. In today’s climate, there is a lot of attention on how teams respond to players actions in cases of assault and abuse. It’s all over the NFL, but the MLB has long been the leader in how they handle social issues. Clearly, something needs to be done to try and end violence against women, just as with any minority group. However, there are miles and miles of gray area on just what that is.
While Urias is serving out his suspension, 7-days and can be extended to a second 7-days, the Dodgers front office surely is mapping out a plan of response to this event, and hopefully, trying to implement ways to prevent their players from similar incidents of abuse and assault. The Dodgers have an opportunity to make a statement to the league and its community. Does Urias deserve a 40-game ban similar to Russell’s? Definitely not.
There was a considerable amount of evidence and accounts from the victim that warranted a much harsher suspension. The opportunity here for the Dodgers though is to send a clear message to the league and its players that it this kind of violence will not be tolerated and taken lightly within the organization.
While this sounds like it will end up being nothing in the eyes of the law, it’s definitely not looked at with those same eyes, in the court of public opinion. So, what is the right thing to do with Julio Urias? Everyone is watching.
Feature Photo: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
