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Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:22 pm
by cardsfan04
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6384863
Monday, April 18, 2011
Mike Leake accused of stealing shirts
ESPN.com news services

CINCINNATI -- Reds pitcher Mike Leake was arrested on a shoplifting charge at a downtown department store Monday, accused of trying to steal six shirts with a total value of $59.88.

The 23-year-old starter was booked at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of shoplifting. It carries a maximum of 180 days in jail.

He was arrested about two hours before Cincinnati pitchers were expected at Great American Ball Park to take batting practice before the final game of a series against Pittsburgh. Leake started and got the victory in an 11-2 win over the Pirates on Saturday.

Leake said in a statement released by the Reds that his attorney told him not to discuss the arrest. Leake apologized to his family, to the club and to fans "for this distraction."

The Reds issued a statement saying, "We do not condone behavior of the type alleged, which is wholly inconsistent with the principles of this organization and our community and is detrimental to the positive direction we seek to follow. When the legal process has been completed, we will handle this matter internally."

Police arrest reports said Leake removed the price tags from six American Rag T-shirts at a Macy's store and tried to leave without paying for them. Leake makes $425,000 in his second season in the majors.

A Macy's spokesman said the company had no comment beyond what was reported by police.

Leake was the eighth overall pick in the June 2009 draft and made the jump directly from Arizona State to the majors last spring, when he won the fifth starter's spot in the rotation. He was the 21st player who went right from the draft to the majors since 1965.

The right-hander helped the Reds get started toward their NL Central title, going 8-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 22 starts and two relief appearances. The Reds shut him down at 138 1/3 innings, not wanting to hurt his arm by pushing him too far as a rookie.

Leake has made three starts this season, going 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA.

The Reds have been relying on Leake again this season while they get through shoulder injuries to starters Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey.

Bailey has been on the disabled list since the start of the season with an inflamed pitching shoulder. He threw 62 pitches in five scoreless innings for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, allowing two hits.

Bailey said on Monday that he felt fine and was encouraged by his showing. He'll make one more start in the minors and if that goes well, he could be activated.

"It went pretty good," said Bailey, who allowed only two hits. "I didn't feel any pain, which is plus No. 1. Early on I felt good. About the fifth inning, I felt pretty tired there. That goes with the territory of building up the pitches."

Cueto made his first rehab start on Saturday and had no issues.

"Don't forget, we're not whole until we get those two guys back," manager Dusty Baker said. "I knew it was going to be a tough period of time, even though we've started off well, until we get those two back."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Part of me feels bad for him as this relatively minor offense will follow him the rest of his career. I heard speculation that he probably did it for the rush, not the monetary value, which makes sense.

That being said, he is old enough to know right from wrong. He makes 425K/year and needs to steal? Really? I don't have ill will toward him per se, but he is in this mess because of his own decisions.

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:38 pm
by glen a richter
This whole thing is just retarded. I make a fraction of what Leake makes and I never, at any point in my entire life, even when I was in college making about $10,000 or less per summer doing hard manual labor 40+ hours per week, had any motivation to shoplift. Dude is a dumbass, plain and simple.

This is the kind of goofy shit you'd expect from a guy on the Cardinals, not on the Reds. hahaha, just kidding guys. Have mercy.

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:00 pm
by cardsfan04
glen a richter wrote:This whole thing is just retarded. I make a fraction of what Leake makes and I never, at any point in my entire life, even when I was in college making about $10,000 or less per summer doing hard manual labor 40+ hours per week, had any motivation to shoplift. Dude is a dumbass, plain and simple.
Exactly. That's what pisses me off so much about it. Same thing with Lindsay Lohan stealing that necklace. I mean, really? WTF?!?!?! There is something seriously wrong with you if you don't have enough with as much money as they make.

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:29 pm
by glen a richter
cardsfan04 wrote:
glen a richter wrote:This whole thing is just retarded. I make a fraction of what Leake makes and I never, at any point in my entire life, even when I was in college making about $10,000 or less per summer doing hard manual labor 40+ hours per week, had any motivation to shoplift. Dude is a dumbass, plain and simple.
Exactly. That's what pisses me off so much about it. Same thing with Lindsay Lohan stealing that necklace. I mean, really? WTF?!?!?! There is something seriously wrong with you if you don't have enough with as much money as they make.
With what I made at my summer job--when I was in college I didn't work during the school year because I was focused on my school work, I was able to pay my out the nose car insurance, and the very rare luxury purchase. Yet, if I needed a couple of new shirts or whatever, I would haul my sorry ass out to the outlet center (because it was cheaper) which was 50 miles away and pay for all my purchases.

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:09 pm
by thedoc
I like how the Red's said he was exchanging items and didn't know how to do it. If someone at his age is really that dumb he needs to be snipped so there is no reproductive chance.

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:12 pm
by abc789987
kleptomaniac

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:43 am
by dmiles2186
Image

Re: Mike Leake arrested for shoplifting

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:21 pm
by cardsfan04
lol, I'd wear that shirt. Randy Karriker suggested fans buy tickets behind the Reds dugout and paint their chests "Leake stole my shirt" lol.