Ex-Yankees closer John Wetteland arrested on child sex abuse charge

Ex-Yankees closer John Wetteland arrested on child sex abuse charge ‘involving a victim under the age of 14’

  • The 52-year old is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child under 14
  • Wetteland posted a $25,000 bond, according to The Dallas Morning News
  • The 1996 World Series MVP had been teaching bible studies and coaching baseball in Texas, but he reportedly has no current relationship with the school
  • Wetteland was hospitalized in 2009 for what was originally deemed ‘mental health issues’ but the issue was later defined as ‘elevated blood pressure’ 
  • Wetteland earned over $33 million in salary over his 12-year career 

Former New York Yankees and Texas Rangers closer John Wetteland was arrested Monday on a child sex abuse charge. The 52-year old is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child under the age of 14, according to Denton County jail records

Former New York Yankees and Texas Rangers closer John Wetteland was arrested Monday on a child sex abuse charge. The 52-year old is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child under the age of 14, according to Denton County jail records.

Wetteland posted a $25,000 bond and has since been released, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Further details of Wetteland’s arrest weren’t immediately available.

The 1996 World Series MVP had previously taught bible studies and coaching baseball at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, according to the Morning News, but he reportedly has no current connection to the school. 

A school representative did not immediately return the Daily Mail’s request for comment.  

In 2009, while working as the bullpen coach for the Seattle Mariners, Wetteland was hospitalized for what was originally deemed a ‘mental health’ issue, but both he and the team later released statements claiming he was dealing with elevated blood pressure.

According to the New York Daily News, a woman called the police from Wetteland’s home out of fear that he might hurt himself.  

‘She said he was complaining of being depressed and contemplating suicide,’ Denton County Sheriff’s Sgt. Roger Griggs told the Daily News. 

Wetteland has a remarkable 330 career saves (15th all time) and a 2.97 earned-run average

Wetteland has a remarkable 330 career saves (15th all time) and a 2.97 earned-run average

In this file photo, John Wetteland is awarded the series Most Valuable Player award by Joe Torre following Game Six of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves on October 26, 1996. The Morning News reached out to Wetteland's ex-wife Michele (far left), but she refused to comment. The couple divorced in 2015. They have four children, including twin daughters

In this file photo, John Wetteland is awarded the series Most Valuable Player award by Joe Torre following Game Six of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves on October 26, 1996. The Morning News reached out to Wetteland’s ex-wife Michele (far left), but she refused to comment. The couple divorced in 2015. They have four children, including twin daughters

According to the Mariners, the police report was erroneous. 

‘We were relieved once we heard the details from John and Michele and that John is safe at home and in good health,’ Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik said in the 2009 statement. ‘Contrary to earlier news reports, the reason John was hospitalized was because of an extremely high heart rate.’ 

He previously served as a bullpen coach for the Washington Nationals. The team fired Wetteland because of his alleged penchant for practical jokes.

After winning a World Series with the Yankees in 1996, Wetteland signed with the Texas Rangers, and retired as the team's all-time leader in saves

After winning a World Series with the Yankees in 1996, Wetteland signed with the Texas Rangers, and retired as the team’s all-time leader in saves

‘They seem to focus a little bit more on practical jokes and fooling around out there in the bullpen rather than focusing and concentrating on the game, and keeping their minds focused to what they would have to do when they came into the ballgame to get people out,’ then-Nationals manager and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson said in 2006. 

‘I just couldn’t put up with it anymore. I talked to John on a number of occasions and told him flat-out what I needed and how I wanted things done. He just didn’t seem to understand.’

The Morning News reached out to Wetteland’s ex-wife, but she refused to comment. The couple divorced in 2015. They have four children. 

After starting his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wetteland first made a name for himself with the Montreal Expos before being traded to the New York Yankees in 1995. The following season he would be named World Series MVP following the Yankees’ six-game victory over the Atlanta Braves.

In 1997 he signed with the Texas Rangers, and retired as the team’s all-time leader in saves.

For his career, Wetteland has a remarkable 330 saves (15th all time) and an impressive 2.97 earned-run average.

Wetteland earned over $33 million in salary over his 12-year career, according to Baseball Reference.  

Pitcher and closer John Wetteland of the New York Yankees celebrates with his team mates after winning Game Six of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Atlanta Braves on 26 October 1996 at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Pitcher and closer John Wetteland of the New York Yankees celebrates with his team mates after winning Game Six of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Atlanta Braves on 26 October 1996 at Yankee Stadium in New York City

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