February 8, 2008

SECAUCUS, N.J. – A video posted on YouTube yesterday showed New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal grinning as they drop roosters into a cockfighting ring.

The video was pulled Wednesday, but was reportedly released late Tuesday. According to the New York Post, the two were honorary “soltadores” the people who throw the birds in to fight.

Mets representatives say they were told the video is at least two years-old.

"I understand that people are upset. This is part of our Dominican culture and is legal in the Dominican Republic," Martinez said in a statement. "I was invited by my idol Juan Marichal to attend the event as a spectator, not as a participant."

The match took place in the Dominican Republic, where the blood sport is legal. In fact, the event was held at the Coliseo de Gallos – or Rooster Coliseum – the country’s largest cockfighting venue.

In the video, the rooster released by Martinez is apparently killed. However, it is not clear if he or Marichal owned the animals.

It is known that Marichal has raised fighting roosters on his farm in the Dominican Republic, where at one time he had been the Minister of Sports.

Martinez is also said to have raised roosters on his D.R. property. It has not been confirmed if those animals were used for fighting.

Spokesmen for the Mets and Major League Baseball were not available for comment.

This is the latest in professional athletes’ involvement in animal fighting. The previous case being Michael Vick’s participation in illegal dog fighting based out of Atlanta.

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