GOODYEAR, ARIZ. (AP) - Cleveland Indians outfielder Austin Kearns was arrested in Kentucky last month on suspicion of drunk driving just days before he reported to training camp.
The Indians were not aware of Kearns’ arrest until it was reported Monday by the Jessamine (Ky.) Journal. Kearns said he met with manager Manny Acta and general manager Chris Antonetti.
“We talked,” Kearns said, “and we’re all on the same page.”
Antonetti said the club found out late Monday night about the incident. Antonetti would not comment further when asked if he was disappointed that Kearns did not inform them of the arrest.
Speaking with reporters outside the clubhouse on Tuesday, Kearns said he did not tell the team about his arrest on “advice that I was given. They know what’s going on and we’ll go from there.”
According to the paper, Kearns was arrested after being stopped by an off-duty Lexington police officer, who said Kearns was “flashing his headlights and weaving” in a 2007 Cadillac Escalade. Kearns posted bond and has a court appearance scheduled for March 10.
Kearns said his attorney will represent him in court. He would not say if he is contesting the DUI charge.
Citing the police report, the paper said the 30-year-old Kearns told a sheriff’s deputy that he’d had a “a couple bourbon and cokes” in Lexington, his hometown. According to the report, Kearns refused a field sobriety test and was “very unsteady on his feet.” Kearns reportedly told the officer he was a professional baseball player “and asked if I could cut him a break.”
Kearns had no comment about whether he asked for special treatment.
The Indians re-signed Kearns to a one-year, $1.3 million contract as a free agent in December. He was with the club last season until July 30, when he was traded to the New York Yankees.
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