TAMPA, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Friday morning, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office. Walker was arrested at 12:45 a.m. ET, booked at 2:02 a.m. ET, and released on a $500 bond at 9:15 a.m. ET.
“There was a traffic incident on Thursday night that I was involved in. Obviously, I'm very apologetic to the Blue Jay organization, Blue Jays fans, and my family,” Walker said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “It’s something that I'm working through with my attorney to get resolution to right now. Obviously, my apologies to my three daughters as well. Right now we're working through it with my attorney for a resolution in this. And that's the only comment I'll have right now.”
An arrest affidavit obtained by Sportsnet alleged Walker was stopped at approximately 12:06 a.m. ET Friday morning near County Road 611 and Curlew Road in Oldsmar, Fla. after being clocked on a radar gun driving 82 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The affidavit says Walker refused a breath alcohol content test but showed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. A deputy reported that Walker “admitted to drinking four beers at a bar/eating facility.” The affidavit states Walker was observed by the deputy to have “a strong odor of alcoholic beverage” on his breath, poor balance, and glassy, bloodshot eyes.
Walker has continued working in his role as Blue Jays pitching coach since the arrest and was with the club for its Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Saturday afternoon. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said after the game that he learned of the arrest “last night” and that Walker would remain with the club.
“The Blue Jays and I are aware of what happened — of the incident involving Pete,” Montoyo said. “But we're still gathering information. And, out of respect for the process, that's all I know.”
Montoyo would not say whether Walker would face any discipline from the club. Shortly after Walker and Montoyo gave their statements, the team issued its own which closely echoed Montoyo’s.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are aware of the recent police incident involving Pete Walker,” the statement read. “The club is currently gathering more information and out of respect for the legal process, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Walker pitched for the Blue Jays from 2002-2006 at the end of his eight-season MLB career. He re-joined the organization in 2009 as a developer and minor-league pitching coach, before joining the club’s major-league staff as bullpen coach for the 2012 season. He was named the club’s pitching coach the next year, a role he’s filled since.
