Hotheaded Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was arrested Wednesday night after a game at Citi Field for assaulting his father-in-law, police said.
New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez celebrates after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Domonic Brown to end the ninth inning of a baseball game in this Aug. 7, 2010 file photo taken in Philadelphia. Rodriguez is in custody after what police called a "physical assault" with his father-in-law after the Mets' 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field Wednesday Aug. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
Rodriguez fought with his wife’s father in a tunnel just outside the Mets clubhouse immediately following the team’s 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
The Mets announced the decision to suspend K-Rod for two games following the incident, according to The Associated Press.
Rodriguez’s father-in-law suffered abrasions on his face and a head injury, and was transported via ambulance to Flushing hospital, police said.
Reports from the New York Daily News, who witnessed some of the altercation, say Rodriguez was yelling as he was pushed into the hallway, which was crowded with spectators. Security stopped traffic in the the team’s Family Lounge and took him to the back of the clubhouse The police soon followed.
Police say it is not clear why the 28-year-old pitcher brawled with his 53-year-old father. He was charged with third-degree assault.
The Daily News also reported that moments before the fight, Rodriguez’s temper flared when he snapped at a reporter who asked why he was not asked to pitch in the eighth inning of the game.
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