Dave Stewart boycotting Dodgers celebrations over handling of Bauer
Former All-Star pitcher Dave Stewart is boycotting the Los Angeles Dodgers' 40th-anniversary celebrations of their 1981 World Series championship over the team's handling of assault allegations against star pitcher Trevor Bauer, he told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Stewart, a rookie reliever on the 1981 Dodgers, is angry the franchise didn't discipline Bauer after the allegations became public last week. Bauer hasn't been charged and repeatedly denied the accusations through his agents.
"The (Dodgers) organization isn't what it was when we came through," Stewart told Nightengale. "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.'"
Stewart added that when he informed the Dodgers of his reason for declining the invitation, he received a reply that read: "The team and the Players Associations support the player until he's guilty." Stewart said he responded in all caps: "HE BROKE THE UNWRITTEN RULE ON HOW YOU SHOULD TREAT WOMEN!"
The Pasadena Police Department has been investigating Bauer for assault since mid-May. Bauer's accuser filed for a temporary restraining order against the 30-year-old, and a hearing is scheduled for July 23.
Bauer remained with the Dodgers after the allegations first became public. Manager Dave Roberts planned to keep him in the rotation, saying Thursday the decision was "out of (the team's) hands." Major League Baseball placed Bauer on administrative leave the next day.
Dave Roberts said “I don’t see it happening” when asked if he expects to have Trevor Bauer back with the team at the end of his seven-day pain administrative leave on Friday. MLB would need MLBPA approval to extend that leave beyond the seven days.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 5, 2021
Stewart, 64, believes L.A. didn't discipline Bauer due to the three-year, $102-million contract he signed this past winter with the club.
"I know they owe him a lot of money, but the right thing is to distance yourself from that guy," Stewart said. "I don't want him in my clubhouse. If you're a teammate, you can't support him. And if you're a teammate supporting him, what are you standing for?
"If it wasn't for his contract, he'd be gone. But even with the money they owe him, you can't allow him to perform for you and act like nothing happened. You just can't."
The Dodgers drafted Stewart in 1975, and he made 124 appearances for them from 1978-83. He's best known for his years with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 1989 World Series MVP.