Skip navigation Web MSNBC with Baseball Scores Baseball College hoops ... Fan zone More features Mobile Blogs Message boards TV listings On msnbc.com U.S. news Politics World news Business ... Poker on NBC Pedro, Marichal denounced over cockfight Practice banned in U.S., but it's legal and popular in Dominican Republic Now itâs New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal who are being denounced for animal fighting. A video of Martinez and Marichal at a cockfight was posted this week on YouTube and it showed the two laughing before releasing the roosters. They took part as honorary âsoltadores,â the word used to describe the person who puts the animal to fight. The fight takes place in their home country, the Dominican Republic, where cockfighting is legal and popular. It is banned throughout the United States. Martinez told the Mets the cockfight occurred at least two years ago. In the wake of Michael Vickâs recent dogfighting case, Martinez and Marichal are the latest sports stars to draw criticism for animal fighting. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent letters to both pitchers Thursday, calling on them to publicly apologize. The Humane Society of the United States said âMajor League Baseball should join us in condemning Martinez and Marichal for their shameful example.â | |
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