An argument about pro athletes' signing bonuses put New York Yankees pitching prospect Ty Hensley in an Oklahoma hospital a few days after Christmas, and now has Anthony Morales, an ex-member of the Carolina Panthers, charged with felony assault.
Hensley, 21, and Morales, 24, are both from Edmond, Okla., and found themselves at a house party at 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 28. That's when, according to authorities and the Associated Press, the two of them had an argument that led to a "brutal attack": Morales allegedly kicking and hitting Hensley while he was on the ground, then running out of the house.
Morales — who played linebacker at Weber State, signed with Panthers in July, but was cut in August — was charged Thursday in an Oklahoma City court with aggravated assault and battery, a felony.
Hensley — who was drafted in the first-round by the Yankees in 2012 and got a $1.2 million signing bonus — was treated in a nearby hospital. An affidavit described his condition while in the hospital thusly:
"[T]he pitcher's jaw was broken in two places, Hensley sustained a 2-inch cut on his chin, a tooth was missing, his right eye was black and his mouth was wired shut."
Because you're probably wondering: Hensley stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220. Morales is 5-foot-10, 230 pounds and was also a high-school wrestling champ. Even though they're from the same city, they went to different high schools.
On Thursday, Hensley's attorneys, Rob Martin and Jacob Diesselhorst, issued a statement about the altercation. It reads, in part:
"Ty was treated and released from the hospital and is presently recovering at home from the injuries he sustained after being knocked unconscious in this vicious attack. Ty and his family are grateful for all of the support, thoughts, and prayers he's received from friends, fans, and well-wishers. We respectfully request privacy during this difficult time."
Despite being a first-round pick for the Yankees, Hensley's early career hasn't been ideal. He missed all of 2013 after hip surgery. He returned in 2014 to pitch in 11 games. Overall, in three seasons, he's appeared in 16 games with a 2.95 ERA.
Morales, meanwhile, played in the preseason for the Panthers after signing a rookie contract, but didn't make the team. We're not sure what kind of signing bonus Morales earned, if any.
They've probably both learned a lesson that's often stressed to many young athletes: Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.
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