MLB.com reports that Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker was arrested in Tampa Bay early Friday morning for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that on March 25, deputies pulled over Walker after he was clocked, going 82 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone. Sheriff’s deputies administered field sobriety tests to Walker, which he failed. At approximately 2:02 a.m. Eastern Time, Walker was taken into custody. Coach Walker was released later that day on a $500 cash bond.
A representative of the Toronto Blue Jays confirmed the incident, and Walker met with members of the press following the game against the New York Yankees on Saturday.
“There was a traffic incident on Thursday night that I was involved in,” Walker during the press conference. “I’m very apologetic to the Blue Jays’ organization, Blue Jays fans, and my family. I’m working with my attorney to get a resolution to this right now. My apologies to my three daughters, as well. Right now, we’re working through that with my attorney for resolution, and that is the only comment I’ll have right now.”
52-year-old Walker has been on the staff of the Blue Jays organization since 2009 and was appointed pitching coach in 2012. Before being made a coach, Walker pitched for the Blue Jays from 2002 to 2006.
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters that Walker would remain with the Blue Jays as pitching coach while they continue to gather and assess information surrounding Walker’s arrest.
