Should Detroit Tigers' Ausmus Be Sanctioned by MLB for Joking He Beats His Wife?

The Detroit Tigers can’t seem to win this season, and neither can rookie manager Brad Ausmus.

Amus has apologized for saying “I beat my wife” when asked how he was coping with the baseball team’s month-long slump, where they’ve won nine games out of 20 starts, WJBK, Channel 2 reports.  Ausmus, speaking to reporters after the Tigers’ 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, immediately recognized his gaffe.

“I’m just kidding,” he said. “My wife and kids are fantastic. I do get a little mopey at home. But my wife and kids are good. They’ve seen me be in a bad mood after a loss. They’ve been great.”

He offered a formal apology later in the press briefing.

“I didn’t want to make light of battered women. I didn’t mean to make light of that, so I apologize for that, if I offended anyone. Next question. Sorry.”

Tell Us:

• Has Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus sufficiently apologized for his joke about beating his wife? Should the Major League Baseball Commission consider sanctions?

But the executive director of a Wayne County organization that helps battered women says the apology isn’t enough, WWJ/CBS Local reports.

Amy Youngquist, the CEO of a domestic violence project First Step, said the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball should consider suspending Ausmus.

At the least, she said, Ausmus should become involved in advocacy groups that help educate men that domestic violence is never acceptable.

Youngquist said she understands Ausmus was only joking, but that sends a message that domestic violence is a frivolous issue and it’s OK to crack jokes about it.

“Domestic violence is never a joking matter,” Youngquist said. “It can be lethal for women and for children; it’s a very serious matter, definitely not a joking matter.”