Major League Baseball has announced that free-agent catcher Derek Norris has been placed on the restricted list for the remainder of the season. The league says that it issued its decision “based on the results of” an investigation under the domestic violence policy; commissioner Rob Manfred did not otherwise explain the result except to state that he determined that Norris’s “conduct warranted discipline.”
Norris will not appeal, per the announcement, and will be eligible again to sign a contract after the conclusion of the current season. The 28-year-old was released earlier this year by the Rays and had not signed with another organization since. Norris will also lose the right to collect $100K of salary he was still due from Tampa Bay; the organization will instead donate that sum “to one or more charitable organizations focused on preventing and treating survivors of domestic violence,” per Manfred’s statement.
The league commenced an investigation into Norris after his one-time fiancee, Kristen Eck, accused him publicly of physical and emotional abuse. Norris denied that he had committed the alleged actions. It does not appear that Eck pursued criminal charges, but detailed her allegations (as Topkin wrote earlier this summer) and seemingly agreed to cooperate with MLB’s investigation.
The joint MLB-MLBPA domestic violence policy vests the power to investigate, assess culpability, and issue punishment in the commissioner. That authority is not contingent upon any actions by public authorities and does not require a criminal conviction.
Norris had struggled on the field this year prior to losing his job with the Rays in late June. Still, as an experienced major league backstop, he might well have had an opportunity to join a roster for the month of September were it not for today’s decision (along with whatever underlying facts the league was able to ascertain). Of course, today’s decision could well also have an impact on his future prospects in the game.
!!
Good. It’s not much, but it’s moving in the right direction. And good for them for not disclosing the details. The privacy of the woman involved (I believe his former fiancee) INFINITELY more important than our voyeuristic need to know the specifics of things like this.
Good? This is the definition of lip service. Norris is a free agent and has been since June. He was unlikely to be signed regardless of this announcement. How can a suspension actually count for anything? It’s like getting a leave of absence from work after you get fired. It is meaningless in the big picture.
Never mind, the $100k fine was added while I was typing.
Not a fine, just money he was otherwise owed that he now doesn’t get to collect
Well technically not a fine, but it serves the same purpose as a fine just without the title.
Former Padre was a joke of a player
Also, an A’s joke of a player.
They shouldn’t have had to add that to the article for you to realize the suspension was punitive. Suspended players don’t get paid.
Sorry I don’t have the player’s handbook memorized. Please follow me around for the rest of my life and point out anything I should have already known. I would appreciate having a lackey.
He pitches for the Cubs
Derek Norris pitches for the Cubs?
Very nice sir. I always appreciate a nice catch.
Yes.
(Reveals who involved woman is)
We obviously aren’t in the business of outing victims. In this case, she has publicized her allegations and also been discussed by name in media accounts such as the linked Tampa Bay Times article. I’m not sure of the precise ethics, but am certainly trying to act in good faith.
In one breath you say good for them for not disclosing information, then in the next say (I believe his former fiancee). SMH
There’s something fishy with this whole thing.
Is Russell next?
No. MLB already dropped the investigation because a) his wife never accused him of abuse, and b) she would not cooperate with the investigation.
Pretty sure she did accuse him but yeah, doesn’t sound like she cooperated with the investigation.
No, she didn’t accuse him. The accusation was made by her friend on Instagram, which was quickly deleted.
I’m almost positive it was a friend of hers who did the accusing
Here’s a quote from her attorney as to why she won’t cooperate:
“She gave it a lot of thought,’’ attorney Thomas Field, who represents Melisa Russell, told USA TODAY Sports, “but Melisa isn’t interested in legitimizing anything that doesn’t come from her.”
i.e – Melisa Russell did not make the accusation and refuses to confirm an accusation that she did not make.
Fair enough.
I know how to downvote other people’s comments too.
Do you mean to tell me MLB initiated an investigation based on an Instagram post? Is this what the world has come to?
That’s far from a denial of abuse occurring.
It’s about as far from it as a “friend” making the only accusation on Instagram and deleting it is an indicator of abuse occurring.
Yep very said put that’s what it’s come too!
Yep… the statement from her lawyer indicated regardless of what happened she wanted it resolved privately, in the best interest of her son. https://twitter.com/Spiegel_Parkins/status/877552466325377024/photo/1
I dunno man, maybe it’s come to a point where SOME people actually take domestic abuse seriously, rather than knowingly turning a blind eye and becoming complicit in it… But what do I know!!
I know domestic abuse is horrible today how about you split the amount and give half to a domestic abuse charity and the other half to a charity helping Houston
I think the charity is a great idea so thank you Tampa Bay. But also the MLB should give her all the information to her to help on civil action. Now if Derek Norris does do all the proper things and does change and proves himself we need to let him build his life professionally. I’m not by any means making excuses for him or what he did but some people can learn and become better people that is all I’m saying
I don’t like it! Just cause a person accuses doesn’t always mean your guilty! You don’t know there personal life or the people involved!
The fact that he has chosen not to appeal is probably a decent indication of his guilt
Or it could be his realization that the appeals process in a case like this is not going to help anything. This isn’t like a real court of appeals, this is appealing the decision of a person to that person. And even if he did win, he would end up paying more than he would regain through attorney fees. It’s a no win situation and his career would be better served just getting back into shape for an offseason make good contract.
The league says it investigated and determined punishment under the policy was appropriate. I don’t think that means it simply accepted the accusation.
Remember, the standard for finding someone guilty in a court of law is not the same as for finding civil liability or for an employer to take for-cause action … and far different still is the standard that applies here under the collectively bargained rules.
What a piece if garbage this guy is, assuming the allegations are true.
Maybe he should have been a football player. Stuff like this happens all the time in the NFL without much penalty.