Tuesday, December 6, 2011

More Disturbing Abuse Allegations

Once again, the name of former Red Sox clubhouse manager Don Fitzpatrick is connected to alleged child sexual abuse. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty in 2002 to attempted sexual battery in a case of Florida teens who alleged abuse by him at the Red Sox Spring Training facilities in Winter Haven. Fitzpatrick left the Red Sox after the allegations came to light and died in 2005. Now, two Boston-area men are charging that Fitzpatrick sexually assaulted them at Fenway Park. The two men—one of whom, Charles Crawford, went public yesterday—are seeking a total of $10 million in damages from the Red Sox. While the current ownership group clearly had nothing to do with these events, they may have to make some sort of settlement with the men. Hopefully, this disgraceful period of Red Sox history will finally be resolved.