OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Royals pitcher Danny Duffy has been cited for driving under the influence Sunday night, Overland Park police said.
The 28-year-old was cited at a fast food restaurant near 135th and Metcalf.
According to police, he was not booked into the jail.
The Royals released this statement at noon Tuesday:
“We are obviously disappointed in the news we have received regarding Danny Duffy’s DUI arrest on Sunday night. Danny was not part of the team traveling back from Cleveland on Sunday because he had returned to Kansas City a day earlier to undergo an MRI examination. We are still in the early stages of gathering the details, but I do know that Danny has always been accountable as a member of this organization and we expect the same accountability from him as this process moves forward. We obviously do not condone anyone driving while under the influence, but this is now a legal matter and we will allow the process to unfold and cannot comment any further.”
Later, the pitcher and Royals General Manager Dayton Moore sat down for a press conference.
Danny Duffy could not take questions due to legal circumstances. He was excused from the room after he made a brief statement.
Duffy said he was sorry for the situation, calling it a distraction for the team.
“I apologize for the distraction, especially with where the team is at right now,” Duffy said.
He went on to say he was going to be better because of it and promised to continue to do great things for Kansas City.
Duffy left the room and Moore began taking questions.
He said the most important thing right now is for Duffy to be held accountable for his actions, but also acknowledged that the players are human beings too, saying everyone makes mistakes.
“They have a gift to perform athletically. That doesn’t mean they’re a perfect person,” Moore said.
Moore also said the Royals have taken steps to educate players on the dangers of drugs, alcohol and even pornography, saying it can lead to distraction and domestic abuse.
He also commented on the state of the team right now.
“We’re going through a tough time right now. It’s not what we anticipated, that’s for sure. It’s been frustrating,” Moore said, “We have to find the strength to persevere through it.”
Not many details of the circumstances surrounding Duffy’s citation have been released.
Watch the full press conference here:
