Gambling on Trevor Bauer Is Not the Dodger Way

She described being punched, bruised and bloodied. She claimed that during sex Bauer strangled her to the point that she passed out, and that she was assaulted while unconscious.

Bauer’s lawyer denied few of her claims but described the encounter as rough sex that the woman had consented to. Not assault. The judge, taking the view that Bauer will not pose a threat to his accuser in the future, canceled the restraining order altogether.

Bauer, though, continues to face serious consequences. Police in Pasadena, Calif., where the assault is said to have occurred, are still investigating. The Los Angeles County District Attorney could still press criminal charges.

Major League Baseball placed Bauer on paid administrative leave shortly after the accusations became public. Even if no criminal charges are brought, it can hand down a lengthy suspension based on its domestic violence prevention policy, perhaps as long as a season or more.

Commissioner Rob Manfred’s response will tell us all we need to know about baseball’s priorities. Does it condone Bauer’s actions that night, consensual or not?

Does it take seriously women who say they have been sexually assaulted?

Does it have the guts to take a stand?

The night after the hearing, a mere three miles and a world away from the tense downtown courthouse, fans streamed into the gilded baseball temple known as Dodger Stadium.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/23/sports/baseball/trevor-bauer-dodgers-assault.html