When Trevor Bauer dons a Long Island Ducks jersey on Opening Day, it symbolizes a fresh start.
After spending years playing in Mexico and Japan, the divisive 2020 Cy Young Award winner is returning to pitch in the U.S. for the first time since his 194-game suspension by MLB in 2022. This suspension stemmed from sexual assault allegations, which Bauer has consistently denied, and no criminal charges have been pressed against him.
“I’m not really focused on repairing my image because I feel I have a solid reputation with fans, players, coaches, and management,” he remarked to reporters on Saturday.
“My image is what it is. I don’t have control over that.”
According to Ducks president Michael Pfaff, fan enthusiasm for the upcoming game—set for Tuesday against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars—has been quite positive.
“Ticket sales were significantly higher from day one,” Pfaff explained. “Thousands of tickets were purchased as soon as he signed on.”
Bauer faced accusations in 2021 of assaulting a woman during an encounter when he was with the Dodgers, but he maintains that it was entirely consensual.
His initial suspension of 324 games by MLB in April 2022 was later reduced upon appeal.
“I felt like an outcast for a while,” Bauer admitted.
The 35-year-old shares that he is “in communication with all 30 MLB teams,” yet acknowledges that certain circumstances regarding his return remain “beyond my control.”
“If he were to return, there’s no doubt about his skills or effectiveness,” he commented. “He’s a better pitcher now in many ways than he was before.”
Pfaff expressed hope that playing with the Ducks—who have previously signed controversial figures like John Locker—will be a significant milestone in Bauer’s journey towards redemption.
“This league has been around for 28 years to provide players like Trevor a platform for showcasing their talents and hopefully returning to major league opportunities,” he said.
During Saturday’s Fan Fest, many spectators showed up in Bauer jerseys, eagerly cheering for the right-hander.
“Seeing people waiting outside the clubhouse before spring training games was really uplifting for me,” Bauer noted, looking forward to playing in front of friends and family.
One attendee, Eric Stanton, whose daughter sought Bauer’s autograph, voiced that he believes Bauer was unfairly treated. “There are players who’ve done far worse,” he said.
Despite this, some fans like Sheryl Geller expressed mixed feelings, mentioning after discussing Bauer’s past with her husband that it changed her perception of him.
Joe and Stacey Green, a couple from California, took an impromptu trip to Islip after learning Bauer would be present. They had previously coached their son, Max Green, a former pitcher for the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Bauer fondly recalled Max during a brief chat with his parents near the bullpen.
Stacey praised Bauer as a “good guy,” while Joe added, “He’s faced unfair treatment.”
Vinnie Moran, a grandfather from Lindenhurst, expressed hope for Bauer’s return to the major leagues and shared that he brought his family to see him play.
Bauer mentioned he joined the Ducks at the last minute but learned that the new owner is associated with the Texas Rangers, considering it merely an interesting coincidence.
His focus seems to be on supporting his teammates rather than pursuing individual statistics. “I want to connect with my teammates in the locker room,” he said.
Bauer also plans to document his season through “Hard Knocks”-style YouTube vlogs, offering a unique glimpse into his experiences.
Ducks manager Lou Ford noted that Bauer’s presence is a source of motivation for the team rather than a distraction.
“It’s still early, but the energy is palpable,” Ford remarked. “I’m looking forward to a fun year and winning games.”
Outfielder Matt Hogan, 26, expressed excitement about getting to know Bauer. “What can you not learn from a player like that?” he reflected. “He’s been through so much and knows almost everything about baseball. I’ve talked to him a bit before, and he’s genuinely a nice guy. Excited to get to know him more.”
Bauer also mentioned his desire to step out beyond the confines of the stadium, wanting to engage with local baseball and fans on Long Island.
“I feel very happy,” he concluded.
