Trevor Bauer’s second chance nearly here with Long Island Ducks
It’s all about second probabilities when Trevor Bauer tugs on a Long Island Ducks jersey on opening night time.
After years of enjoying in Mexico and Japan, the polarizing “outcast” 2020 Cy Young winner returns to the mound in America for the primary time since his bombshell 194-game MLB suspension in 2022 over sexual assault allegationswhich the previous Dodger has vehemently denied and was by no means criminally charged for.
“I don’t really think about image rehabilitation, because I think I have a fine image with the fans, baseball players, coaches, front offices, all that stuff,” he instructed reporters Saturday.
“My image is what it is. I don’t control my image.”
The extremely anticipated outing will likely be Tuesday when the unbiased Atlantic League Professional Baseball crew opens at house in opposition to the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars — and fan response has been “outstanding,” in keeping with Ducks president Michael Pfaff.
“We had a huge increase in ticket sales for opening night,” Pfaff mentioned. “There were a few thousand tickets purchased around his start.”
While a member of the Dodgers, Bauer was accused in 2021 of punching and choking a lady throughout intercourse, which he beforehand mentioned was “wholly consensual.”
He was initially given a 324-game suspension by MLB in April 2022, which was lowered after an attraction.
“I felt like I’m kind of an outcast for a while now,” Bauer admitted.
The 35-year-old added that he is “communicated with all 30 teams” in Major League Baseball, however “there are things that are completely out of my control” concerning a potential return.
“There’s no question about talent or effectiveness if I were to come back,” mentioned Bauer, who added, “I think I’m a better pitcher in a lot of ways now than I was.”
Pfaff is hopeful that enjoying for the Ducks — a crew that beforehand signed divisive pitcher John Rocker, amongst different star-caliber skills like Daniel Murphy — will likely be a pivotal step in Bauer’s redemption arc.
“This league has existed for 28 years to give players like Trevor the showcase that they deserve to get back to Major League Baseball or to get better opportunities in the game,” Pfaff mentioned.
Crowds roared for the righty throughout a Saturday fan fest with spectators carrying Bauer jerseys from the Dodgers and their worldwide groups.
“Even just seeing people standing outside the clubhouse before games start in spring training” has introduced pleasure to the now stateside pitcher, who is keen to play in entrance of family and friends.
“I feel like he was kind of wrong,” mentioned Erik Stanton, the daddy of an grownup daughter who hoped to get Bauer’s autograph at Fairfield Properties Ballpark forward of the spring coaching recreation. “I feel like some guys have done worse.”
Still, fan Cheryl Geller is not thrilled and mentioned, “I look at him a little differently,” after her husband, Bruce, not too long ago defined Bauer’s previous to her.
California’s Joe and Stacy Green, a married pair on trip in New York City, made an impromptu drive out to Islip after listening to Bauer could be exhibiting his face. He had mentored their son, Max Green, a former ALPB pitcher for the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Bauer remembered Max whereas briefly chatting with his mother and father close to a bullpen throughout a tour of supporters.
Stacy described Bauer as a “good guy,” and Joe mentioned, “he’s been treated wildly unfairly.”
Lindenhurst grandpa Vinny Moran added, “Hopefully he can get back in the major leagues.”
“I got railroaded out,” mentioned Moran, who introduced his daughter and two granddaughters to the ballpark Saturday and would gladly deliver them again to see him play.
Bauer mentioned he signed with the Ducks on the final minute, solely to appreciate his new proprietor is a Texas Rangers-adjacent firm, Rev Entertainment. I’ve chalked up the connection to nothing greater than “a cool fact.”
The focus for Bauer is not on any benchmark stats, however relatively “to help guys” on the roster.
“I want to be good in the clubhouse with teammates,” he mentioned.
Bauer can even be filming a “Hard Knocks”-style day-in-the-life YouTube vlog all through the season that may supply a behind-the-scenes peek at his day-to-day.
“I’ll be mic’d up for all the games,” he mentioned, “so you’ll kind of get a really unique insight into what I’m thinking on the mound — and what I’m thinking afterwards.”
His presence hasn’t been a distraction to the crew however as an alternative a higher motivator, supervisor Lew Ford mentioned.
“It’s early, but I think the guys, we could feel there’s an energy,” Ford mentioned. “We’re going to have some fun this year — and we’re going to win some baseball games.”
Ducks 26-year-old outfielder Matt Hogan is keen to get to know his new teammate.
“What can’t you learn from a guy like that? That’s a guy who’s been through it,” mentioned the previous White Sox minor leaguer from Plainview. “He knows pretty much everything you could possibly know about baseball. … I’ve had the chance to talk to him briefly so far, and he’s just a tremendous guy. He’s really nice. I look forward to getting to know him better.”
Bauer mentioned he has no intentions of staying within the shadows, both.
“I’d love to get out into Long Island and see some baseball around the community that’s not here at the stadium, and just interact with fans,” he mentioned.
“I feel a lot of happiness.”
