Feb 7, 2008 10:40 pm US/Eastern
Cockfighting Video Puts Mets' Pedro In Bad Light
2-Year-Old Clip Featuring Marichal Conjures Thoughts Of Michael Vick
By Dave Carlin, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez was on the defensive a bit on Feb. 7 after a video surfaced on the Internet of him and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at a cockfight in the Dominican Republic.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Put a baseball in his hands and Pedro Martinez is a hero. But substitute a rooster, like in a video from two years ago, and what starts to fly are criticisms with the feathers.
The Mets pitcher is taking heat for his joint appearance with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at a cockfight in their homeland.
"That's awful for a player as popular as him,'' fan Stanley Goldstein said. "Kids look up to him and they are going to see it and it is going to diminish his reputation."
Cockfighting is both perfectly legal and very popular in the Dominican Republic. But the video rekindles a debate over athletes and animal cruelty in the wake of the nightmare facing Michael Vick. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback is currently in jail for his role in a dogfighting ring.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA sent Baseball's commissioner a letter in resonse to the Martinez video that said:
"It seems that education on the importance of treating animals humanely is in order for Major League Baseball."
A spokesman for Major League Baseball released a statement saying, "We don't condone any kind of animal cruelty, but we're not going to comment on any individuals at this time."
Martinez released a statement about the fight, which happened years ago:
"I understand that people are upset, but this is part of our Dominican culture and is legal in the Dominican Republic," Martinez said.
Some Mets supporters said Martinez doesn't have to apologize for anything.
"I've actually been to the Dominican Republic and seen a cock fight and it is animal cruelty I guess," fan Phillip Fenner said, "but it is legal so I don't see a problem with it."
Some other fans say they want a firm apology from Martinez, even though he broke no law. They say in this day and age where almost anything can wind up on the Internet this public figure should have known this video might lead to no good.
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