Carlos Marmol 'Pissed Off' At D.R. Allegations

The headline reflects exactly what Carlos Marmol told assembled media in Mesa on his arrival Monday, according to Gordon Wittenmyer in the Sun-Times:

"The stuff she says is not true, and I proved [it]," the Cubs' closer said Monday. "It is about money. When they go to the police, the first thing they did was ask for money right away. And I know I didn't do anything. ...

"I gave a ride to this girl, and she pretended that I hurt and tried to have sex with her. And I never did that. It's very frustrating. ...

"Lawyers over there, they made a mistake [thinking that because] we got money and we play baseball, they think everybody's stupid."

The Cubs' own investigation, according to Wittenmyer, backed up Marmol's account. This simply shows how any professional athlete, or anyone in the public eye, must be careful of his or her actions and reputation. That's why the Cubs have hired professionals to help advise players on these kinds of things, according to Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago, after a similar accusation against Starlin Castro a year ago:

The Cubs used that as a talking point last spring and brought in experts from the Northeastern University Center for Sport in Society to educate their players on how to handle fame, the spotlight and social situations.

Northeastern – which has run similar seminars for the Boston Red Sox – will make another presentation to minor-league players in Mesa this spring. The Cubs plan to use Sport in Society representatives at their big-league camp every other year to keep the message fresh.  

Smart move on the part of smart management. Now let's play ball.