Martin Denies a Report of Altercation in Bar After Friday Night Loss to Orioles

Billy Martin, manager of the New York Yankees, engaged in a brief altercation with another patron in a hotel bar early Saturday morning following his team’s 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles Friday night, according to the New York Post. Martin denied the report.

The Post said that Martin was preparing to leave the bar shortly before 2 a.m. when the patron, who was not identified but who had been seen drinking with Martin earlier, reappeared and said: “Hey, Billy, why did you say my wife was potbellied? I just married her this afternoon.”

Martin is quoted as having replied: “I didn’t say your wife was potbellied. I said this woman here had a fat behind,” as he pointed to another woman. He also reportedly shoved the man.

Yankees Rickey Henderson and Rich Bordi, and several coaches and reporters stepped in and prevented an escalation, the Post said.

Martin, after the Yankees’ 5-2 victory over Baltimore on Saturday, disputed the newspaper account.

“Nothing happened,” Martin said. “One writer made something up. Nothing happened. All the other writers were there. If he were here now, he’d have to be up on the stand. The guy’s a liar.”