Aybar's Plight

by gondeee on Apr 19, 2007 7:26 PM EDT in News Comment 3 comments

We finally get some info as to why no one seems to have heard from Willy Aybar. This is from the AJC (hat tip: Rain Delay):

Suspended Braves infielder Willy Aybar is in Boston, struggling with substance abuse and trying to get his life and baseball career back in order, his agent told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The agent, Luis Valdez, said the distraught player was dealing with 'drinking and drugs' and that he drove alone from Atlanta to Boston to be with his brother, Francis Aybar, who lives there.

Minutes later, Valdez backpedaled a bit and said he didn't know if Aybar, 24, was involved in anything other than alcohol.

The agent said Aybar was too shy and embarrassed to reach out to anyone with the team. The Braves suspended him for three days after he failed to show up for injury-rehabilitation sessions Saturday and Sunday, then suspended him indefinitely on Wednesday when he failed to show up for a meeting with manager Bobby Cox.

We've had players struggle with ~~drug and~~ alcohol abuse in the past. Otis Nixon's drug abuse led him from rehab back to the baseball field where he continued a great career. Rafael Furcal's alcohol exploits were well documented several years ago when he was arrested for DUI.

I don't think anyone wanted to say it, but I was among those who had wondered that Aybar's troubles might be a result of some sort of dependency. I sure wish him the best and I hope the team gives him the time he needs to resolve his issues.

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Dang

Yeah, I kind of wondered/worried that that might be the problem as well. It's a dark place and I know that most of the regular attendees of "Talking Chop" have either been there or are close to someone who has been there.

Regardless of baseball, I hope he gets everything sorted out. Of course, selfishly, I hope he's ready to go within a week or two and is slapping doubles into the gaps. However, my selfish side is known to be quite the insensitive jackass.

by rabies on Apr 20, 2007 12:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree this is bad stuff

I struggled with a drug addiction myself for many many years...I've been sober for 2, but yea I hope Willy can pull thru and get his career back on track

by CaptainRockSxD on Apr 21, 2007 5:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My guess

My guess is that this is a result of the hand injury suffered over the winter, and that the "drugs" portion are prescription pain killers. Mixed with alcohol, that's bad news.

I hope he can get his life sorted out quickly and return to the field.

by subwindow on Apr 20, 2007 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs