New York – Detroit Tigers left fielder Delmon Young has been arrested on a hate crime assault charge after police say he attacked a group of men and yelled antisemitic epithets.
Police say Young was standing outside of the Hilton New York, not far from Times Square. A group of about four Chicago tourists staying there were approached by a panhandler wearing a yarmulke. As the group walked up to the hotel doors, Young started yelling antisemitic epithets. Police say it’s not clear who he was yelling at, but he got into a tussle with one of the Chicago group, who sustained scratches to his elbows.
His victim – identified as Jason Shank, 32, from Illinois – was treated for scratches to his arm but not hospitalized, sources said.
Investigators believe Shank and three friends were returning to their hotel from a night out when they were approached by a panhandler wearing a yarmulke and a Star of David, sources said.
The foursome gave the panhandler some cash before turning toward the Hilton — where they brushed past a visibly drunk Young.
The ballplayer shouted “Fucking Jew” at the panhandler, but Shank and his friends thought Young was talking to them, sources said.
The four men, none of whom are Jewish, then turned to confront the ballplayer, and Young and Shank briefly shoved each other, sources said.
Shank and his pals then entered the hotel, with Young hot on their heels, sources said.
Hotel security briefly detained Young until he proved that he was also staying in the Hilton. He was then allowed to return to his fifteenth-floor room as a witness to the brief altercation called 911.
Cops arrived at the hotel minutes later and arrested the troubled player. He was held at the Midtown North Precinct and said nothing to reporters when he was moved to Manhattan Criminal Court late Friday morning.
