The Los Angeles Dodgers figure to be without Trevor Bauer for an indefinite period of time as he remains under investigation for alleged sexual assault stemming from two encounters with a 27-year-old woman who obtained a temporary restraining order.
Bauer was subsequently placed on seven-day administrative leave by MLB, which made him ineligible to return until Friday. The league can extend the leave but only by first gaining approval from the Players Association.
Prior to MLB taking action, the Dodgers planned on Bauer making his scheduled start in the series finale against the Washington Nationals. Manager Dave Roberts explained that was based on direction provided by the league.
While teams are not permitted to take disciplinary action once MLB launches an investigation, the Dodgers’ approach angered many. That included Dave Stewart, who said he will no longer be part of the 1981 Dodgers World Series champions celebration on July 25, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
“The organization isn’t what it was when we came through,’’ Stewart, a rookie relief pitcher on the 1981 World Series team, told USA TODAY Sports. “The Dodgers organization that I grew up in under the O’Malley family would never stand for that. The Dodgers should have stepped up in that situation, and they didn’t. You’ve got to have character standards. I told them, ‘I can’t show up for that.’”
“I was really looking forward to it, too,” said Stewart, a three-time World Series champion and four-time 20-game winner, who later became a pitching coach for the San Diego Padres and general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. “It would have been great to see all of my former teammates from my first World Series team. And although Tommy Lasorda wouldn’t have been there, it would have been great to hear his name, and see what they’ll do for him.
“It was an honor to play for the Dodgers. It was such a special organization. I mean, families were always allowed to fly on the team plane. Kids were running around the clubhouse like it was Disneyland. That was the Dodger tradition. They stood for character.”
The Dodgers have not yet announced details for the 40th anniversary celebration of the World Series team, but it’s evident that will include players from that season’s roster being on hand.
Stewart was selected by the Dodgers in the 16th round of the 1975 MLB Draft and made his debut three years later. Stewart remained with the Dodgers until getting traded to the Texas Rangers in August of 1983 for Rick Honeycutt.
MLB hopes to speak with Bauer, accuser
As part of their ongoing investigation, MLB reportedly hopes to interview Bauer and his accuser in the near future. Commissioner Rob Manfred can impose a punishment — such as suspension — even if Bauer does not ultimately face criminal charges.
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