Pirate Player Arrested in S.D.

Cecil Espy Jr., an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of spousal abuse as his team was preparing to leave San Diego following a weekend series with the Padres.

Espy’s ex-wife, Michaela B. Walter, 30, reported to police that she was attacked by Espy shortly before midnight Saturday, San Diego Police Department spokesman Dave Cohen said.

The alleged attack took place at the Mission Valley Marriot where the Pirates were staying during a three-game series that concluded Sunday. Police did not respond to the complaint until 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Cohen said.

Espy, 29, whose family is from San Diego, was not at the hotel when police arrived, Cohen said.

At 4:27 p.m. Sunday, Walter called police again to report that Espy had again just beaten her, Cohen said. Officers responded immediately and found Walter with a bloody nose and bruises and scratches on one arm, Cohen said.

Shortly after, police detained the Pirates’ charter flight as it prepared to take off from Lindbergh Field and requesting that Pirate Manager Jim Leyland turn Espy over to authorities. Espy, who had already boarded the plane, agreed to go with the police. After questioning by the department’s domestic violence unit, he was booked into County Jail downtown on suspicion of spousal abuse with injury.

Espy played for Point Loma High School during the late 1970s. Now a resident of Arlington, Texas, he is an outfielder who has been used sparingly this year. He did not play during the weekend series with the Padres.