Laird arrested after brawl at NBA game
December 31, 2009
PHOENIX (AP)—Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird(notes) and his younger brother, NewYork Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird, were arrested following a brawl inthe lounge area of Phoenix’s NBA arena, according to police.
Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday nightand 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct. Police said theLairds and a third man were arrested at U.S. Airways Arena after the fightduring the Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game.
Police said arena security previously contacted the group of men about theirloud behavior. Two of the men were allowed back into the lounge after aconversation with security, but a melee broke out shortly afterward and theLaird brothers allegedly assaulted the security guards.
Gerald Laird lives in suburban Peoria in the offseason. Brandon Laird isconsidered one of the top infield prospects in the Yankees farm system andplayed for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League this year.
