Domingo German draws the scorn of Yankees faithful as further information on alcohol-fueled belligerence comes to light
On June 28, New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German tossed the 24th perfect game in MLB history. Sending all 27 Oakland A's hitters down in order, German was the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in over ten years.
While his performance that night in Oakland was nothing short of miraculous, the 28-year old Dominican is not a likely candidate. In his two starts prior to the perfect game, German had allowed fifteen earned runs in just 5.2 innings of work.
However, it is more than German's streaky pitching that has the Yankees worried. German has a long and well-documented unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and his demons have reared their ugly heads once again.
On August 2, the New York Yankees announced that German would be placed on the restricted list as he enters rehab for alcohol abuse. While the team originally kept the specifics rather quiet, bombshell reports have emerged of German's inebriated behaviour around his teammates.
Some details have emerged on the Domingo German incident, via @martinonyc:
According to witnesses, German was belligerent in the clubhouse and did not appear in control of his emotions. There was no report of an altercation with a teammate or other individuals. pic.twitter.com/Ka2acESJxH
"Some details have emerged on the Domingo German incident, via @martinonyc. According to witnesses, German was belligerent in the clubhouse and did not appear in control of his emotions. There was no report of an altercation with a teammate or other individuals." - Talkin' Yanks
A popular Yankees-oriented social media page refered to reports from SNY writer Andy Martino that German was acting "belligerent" in front of teammates in the clubhouse. While no altercations were reported, this appears to have been the catalyst for Domingo German's decision to enter rehab.
@TalkinYanks @TalkinBaseball_ @martinonyc I’m starting to think this guy might be problematic
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc Lucky that no one got hurt this time. This is good that he got into rehab. We can revisit his status on the roster in the off-season. Alcohol abuse is serious and I hope he can defeat it.
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc Like I guessed - got tanked after getting pulled from the start on Mon, came back on Tue loaded up and started fighting the people who he blamed for it. Not excusing his behavior actions, but knew there had to be another angle to this related to the dysfunction within the org.
Yankees fans, true to fashion, were quick to pile on trolling comments. Many cited the fact that with a 56-52 record, German may be drinking to dull the pain of the team's poor performance this season. The Bronx Bombers are ten games behind the Baltimore Orioles.
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc Id get hammered every night if I was on this team too
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc Ya I’d be an alcoholic too playing for the Yankees. Hope he gets out of there and gets back on the right path
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc Dam mans was drinking at the game smh
Unfortunately, this is not German's first run-in with alcohol. In September 2019, Domingo German and his wife attended a Yankees charity gala. According to witnesses, German was slurring his words and appeared to physically and emotionally abuse his wife. Later, his wife would call a teammate of German's to come and pick her up after her husband became violent in an alcohol-fueled rage.
@TalkinYanks @TalkinBaseball_ @martinonyc thug
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc Him in the clubhouse pic.twitter.com/fiypoxtX9f
@TalkinYanks @martinonyc In the clubhouse?? damn
Domingo German just could not keep it together
After Yankees manager Brian Cashman announced that Domingo German would be missing the rest of the season on account of his rehab, one cannot help but consider the missed opportunities. While his 5-7 record, and 4.56 ERA is nothing to write home about - German threw a perfect game this season. To have an achievement like that overshadowed by alcohol abuse is nothing short of a shame.