MONTREAL – Once again, Shane Spencer is in trouble.
The Mets reserve outfielder, currently on the disabled list with a gash on his right heel, was arrested for driving under the influence on a Port St. Lucie, Fla., road at approximately 3 a.m. yesterday.
“He was asked to provide some field sobriety tests and he failed the tests,” said Lt. Tim Frith of the Florida Highway Patrol, L Troop. “In the trooper’s opinion, he was impaired.”
Spencer was sent to St. Lucie County Jail, where, according to Deputy Saundra Pasmore of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, he spent eight hours in a holding cell.
He posted $350 bond and was released at approximately 11:30 a.m. yesterday.
“He came in [yesterday] morning and stayed for eight hours and was released,” Pasmore said.
This is not the first time Spencer has had trouble in St. Lucie. In early March, he and then-teammate Karim Garcia were involved in an altercation with a pizza deliveryman during spring training. Neither player was brought up on charges.
On the field, Spencer has been a fine player for the Mets, hitting .281 and playing solid defense. But at this point, he is very much in danger of wearing out his tenure with the team. Based on this latest incident, a release of Spencer would not be out of the question.
“We’re aware of the situation and [GM] Jim [Duquette] is looking into it and investigating it,” Mets PR honcho Jay Horwitz said.
Spencer’s agent, Jim Krivacs, did not return several messages.
According to the arrest report, Spencer was clocked in a white Volvo driving 98 mph in a 70-mph zone and was weaving in and out of lanes. When arresting trooper Vito Fruggiero approached Spencer on the passenger’s side, Fruggiero noticed Spencer was slurring his speech.
“I asked if he had any alcohol to drink. He said a few,” Fruggiero states in the report. “I asked how many was a few. He said six or seven.”
According to Frith, Spencer’s blood alcohol content was unknown because he refused to take a breath test. Frith said Spencer will either automatically have his driver’s license suspended for a year or can request a DMV hearing in which he may still end up having it suspended for a year but may be able to escape with a less severe punishment. Spencer is then likely to have a court date and could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
Police report
Excerpts from the two-page police report regarding the arrest of Mets outfielder Shane Spencer yesterday morning in Tampa.
Site: SR 9, Tampa, Fla.
Time of offense: 3:19 a.m.
Time of arrest: 3:24 a.m.
Charge: DUI
“I activated my radar and obtained a speed of 98 mph in a 70 mph zone.”
“I observed the vehicle … driving off the roadway onto the west shoulder two times.”
“I could still smell a odor of alcoholic beverage within the vehicle.”
“As he spoke he had a dry mouth and slurred his speech. I asked if he had any alcohol to drink, he said a few. I asked how many was a few. He said 6 or 7.”
“The walk and turn [sobriety test] was not offered due to a foot injury to the defendant’s right heel … ”
“I arrested the defendant Michael Shane Spencer … He was transported to St. Lucie County Jail by PSL PD.”
“I offered the breath test and he refused to take the test saying he didn’t want the results getting to the papers.”