Delmon Young Arrested for Hate-Fueled Assault

Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young is in a lot of trouble this morning. According to a New York Times report, Young was involved in a physical altercation late last night/early this morning outside the Tigers team hotel in New York City, where they will take on the Yankees this weekend.

According to the report, Young was extremely intoxicated and became angered by the sight of a man wearing a yarmulke and asking for change. The Tigers outfielder began a tirade including yelling anti-Semitic remarks. This eventually lead to an altercation with another man who had taken exception to Young’s language.

Young was so inebriated that he was taken by police to a local hospital to “sober up” before being taken into the station for booking. According to Tony Paul of the Detroit News, Young remains in police custody after being charged with third-degree assault. The anti-Semitic remarks, however, add another layer to this story and could result in hate-crime charges being attached.

The Tigers are coming off a homestand that saw them drop six of seven versus AL West opponents including the last four in a row. The ballclub is in a state of flux after the longest-tenured Tiger, Brandon Inge, was released just yesterday.

Young’s arrest comes on the six-year anniversary of an incident in the minor leagues where Young threw his bat at the home plate umpire after a disputed call. Young is owed the balance of a one-year, $6.75 million contract signed this past offseason.

With the possibility that Victor Martinez may return from injury by August and the emergence of Andy Dirks as a viable option for a larger role, Young’s playing time figured to be in jeopardy before this incident.

John Parent is the NL Editorial Director for FanSided MLB and a lifelong Tigers fan. He can be reached at john.parent@fansided.com or via twitter @JohnJParent