Tigers fans react to Delmon Young arrest

DETROIT – Detroit Tigers baseball fans are speaking out about the arrest of slugger Delmon Young.

"It's kind of shocking," said one fan. "I wonder how long he's going to get suspended."

Another fan said he hopes Young gets what he deserves, explaining, "You do stupid things you pay the penalty for your stupidity."

The fans were reacting to an incident in New York City Friday morning. According to police, Young harassed a panhandler and used anti-Semitic slurs during the assault.

Police said Young also was drunk during the incident.

For die-hard Tigers fan Jallal Albaneh, Young's allegations are not only a stain on the Old English D, but the city of Detroit as well.

"Anyone who plays on a professional team should not be acting like that," Albaneh said. "At any time you're out you represent the team, you represent the city. It's sad for a professional athlete to do something like that and it was totally uncalled for."

Robert Foster also is concerned about the impact on the city.

"It's bad enough Detroit gets a bad rap (nationally) and then a player goes other places and treats people like that. I hope they talk to him real stern," Foster said.

The outfielder could be spending a year on the bench, a bench inside a New York City jail.

The alleged altercation by Young outside the Hilton Hotel comes six years to the day since Young was suspended for throwing a bat at an umpire in the International League.

Young released the following statement on Friday:

"I sincerely regret what happened last night. I apologize to everyone I affected, the Ilitch family, the Detroit Tigers' organization, my teammates, my family, and the great Tigers' fans that have supported me since day one. I take this matter very seriously and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and player."