Jays 2021/22 General Off-Season Discussion

[John_Havok]

From yahoo sports:

Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker was arrested Friday morning after he was speeding under the influence in Penellas County, Fla.

According to local police, the 52-year-old was going 82 mph (131.9 km/h) in a 45-mph zone.

The police on scene said that Walker failed his sobriety test and confessed to drinking four beers at a local bar and restaurant.

The Blue Jays and Walker are currently in Florida for Spring Training, and their southern home stadium in Dunedin, in Penellas County, is approximately a 10-minute drive from where Walker was caught allegedly speeding under the influence.

As of this writing, there has been no official word from the Blue Jays or MLB in terms of potential disciplinary actions on the matter, but there is somewhat of a precedent to this happening to major-league coaches.

Chicago White Sox manager and infamous baseball personality Tony La Russa was sentenced to one day of home detention, a mandatory 20 hours of community service, and fined nearly $1,400, for a drunken-driving charge in 2020. La Russa is a repeat offender in this case (he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in 2007 as well), and the initial arrest happened before he was hired by the White Sox.

Walker’s situation could prove a little more complicated as a current employee in the middle of Spring Training.

[jaysblue]

You would think he just would have taken an Uber/Lyft back if he was in no condition to drive. Like literally just pay the $20-$25 ride which is nothing to him.

He probably drank 4 beers over an hour or so and then drove. Also, wouldn't shock me if he had a shot or two of something. Should stick to the one beer per hour rule if he's driving after.

[connorp]

Well, not sure he could play the “do you know who I am” card. But maybe he should’ve been like: “Do you know who Robbie Ray is? I made him”

[connorp]

You would think he just would have taken an Uber/Lyft back if he was in no condition to drive. Like literally just pay the $20-$25 ride which is nothing to him.

He probably drank 4 beers over an hour or so and then drove. Also, wouldn't shock me if he had a shot or two. Should stick to the one beer per hour rule if he's driving after.

Admitted 4 = 8 (or more)

[connorp]

Also, he’s not a kid so I doubt he started at 1am. Had likely been drinking all night

[jaysblue]

Well that's not good. That's the kind of charge that can stop a guy from getting across the border.

Yup, I spoke with many Americans on my past travels and always asked have they ever been to Canada, and some have said they can't visit because of a previous DUI charge. If Pete Walker has a Canadian passport as well or a work visa, I think he'll be ok but who knows.

[TwistedLogic]

The guy credited with being the key cog in this team's elite pitching development getting fired because of a DUI charge before the season even begins would mean the wet blanket thread has already jumped the shark.

[jaysblue]

Also, he’s not a kid so I doubt he started at 1am. Had likely been drinking all night

Most likely. If he started at 8PM and only had 4 beers, he should have been fine to drive at 2am. He definitely had more and probably some mixed drinks/shots as well.

[Spanky99]

connorp - BJMB TMZ

[connorp]

Most likely. If he started at 8PM and only had 4 beers, he should have been fine to drive at 2am. He definitely had more and probably some mixed drinks/shots as well.

I mean, yeah. He was also driving 82 in a 45 at 2am. That doesn’t suggest he had any common sense going. Also, the non-distraught photo kind of suggests that as well

[John_Havok]

Yup, I spoke with many Americans on my past travels and always asked have they ever been to Canada, and some have said they can't visit because of a previous DUI charge. If Pete Walker has a Canadian passport as well or a work visa, I think he'll be ok but who knows.

Yeah. I'm not too educated on those types of things

[jaysblue]

I mean, yeah. He was also driving 82 in a 45 at 2am. That doesn’t suggest he had any common sense going. Also, the non-distraught photo kind of suggests that as well

Yup pretty stupid. No need to drive 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. For sure he was wasted and had more than just four beers lol.

[connorp]

Yeah. I'm not too educated on those types of things

Spank, seems JH here is inviting your expertise in the matter

[wamco]

On the bright side, at least he wasn’t caught jerking off while driving drunk at 80 in a 45.

[Deadpool]

All I know is even if I might fail a Breathalyzer, there's no way I'd fail a field sobriety test after 4 beers. (well, I haven't had a drink in almost 2 years, so maybe NOW, but not even close when I was still drinking...)

[max silver]

Are breathlyzers not a thing in Florida or something? I'm surprised there are only reports of field sobriety tests and nothing that isn't so subjective.