Giants fans weigh in on Larry Baer’s suspension over altercation with wife Pam
Major League Baseball suspended San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer Tuesday morning for his role in a public altercation with his wife, Pam, that left her on the asphalt of a public park.
Baer went on a leave of absence after video of the argument surfaced, and that absence will become an unpaid suspension running until July 1.
The couple was arguing in a San Francisco park March 1, and Larry Baer reached for a cell phone that Pam was holding. As Pam tried to keep Larry from taking the phone, she fell out of her chair. She attributed the fall to a foot injury she’d sustained days earlier but after the fall, she was heard on video shouting “Oh my God! … Help!”
Leadership across sports and beyond has felt increased pressure in recent years to combat domestic violence and punish those who cause harm. This instance is certainly behavior unbecoming of a Giants employee, but should it be treated the same as scenarios in which men have intentionally harmed their partners or others?
We asked Giants fans if they think Baer’s suspension by MLB is too lenient, too harsh or appropriate. Here is what they had to say:
Mark Drexler of Oakland: Larry is a Baer who should hibernate now. This suspension scam is a slap on the wrist. LB Should be removed permanently and repair his marriage, relationship with his kids, and seek proper treatment.. This is another example of Privilege and Entitlement being above the norms of Society. Pam Baer has the community support during this difficult time. Harmon and Sue Burns (RIP) are probably repulsed by today’s MLB lack of principles.
Bob Wing: Way too harsh considering that no charges were filed by police! The entire incident was blown out of proportion by social media. His voluntary leave of absence is enough punishment. “Lets play ball” MLB instead applying this harsh punishment!
Ron Domingues: With the current political climate, the suspension is about right. I don’t think MLB could have ignored it. Since it was a fight over a phone, I think they were both at fault, but she fell and he has to take responsibility for the altercation.
MsPhaidraSF: I think its [BS]. It was an argument. She lost her balance and fell. END OF STORY.
Slim_French: Didn’t Addison Russell get a 40 game suspension, so about 45 days? Baer gets twice as long and did nothing in comparison. On the flip side, the irony is that a rich/white guy got a much worse sentence than a minority.
Bobby Bolin: I have a house full of women. All their texts to me this morning say the same thing, “We will not be attending any SFG games in 2019”. I guess I won’t be buying any SFG tickets for sure. Maybe A’s, to see some offense..
Andrea Aguilera: I would say lenient
Willie Jackson: For people to call this assault or domestic violence trivializes actual assault and domestic violence victims. This was an ugly moment that sadly got sold to TMZ.