Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching coach Pete Walker, centre, talks with pitchers during a spring training workout, Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Dunedin, Fla.Mark Taylor/The Canadian Press
Long-time Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker was arrested and charged with speeding while under the influence early on Friday, according to the sheriff’s office in Pinellas County, Fla.
Walker, the Jays’ pitching coach since 2012, is in Florida with the team for spring training. The Jays say they are still gathering more information about the incident.
According to an arrest affidavit from the sheriff’s office, police stopped Walker after midnight on Friday when he was clocked driving 82 miles per hour in a zone where the speed limit was 45. The affidavit adds that he had bloodshot eyes, his breath smelled of alcohol and he failed sobriety tests. It also says Walker indicated he’d had four beers.
The affidavit says Walker was released on a $500 bond.
Walker was with the team at Saturday’s game against the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Stadium in Tampa. He made a brief statement to reporters and did not take any questions.
“There was a traffic incident on Thursday night that I was involved in. Obviously, I’m very apologetic to the Blue Jay organization, the Blue Jay fans and my family,” Walker said. “But it’s something that, you know, I’m working through with my attorney.”
“My apologies to my three daughters as well,” he added.
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoya said he became aware of the incident on Friday night. He also spoke about it briefly with reporters.
“The Blue Jays and I, we’re aware of what happened, you know – the incident involving Pete. But, you know, we’re still gathering information,” he said.