A Detroit Tigers executive got out ahead of the curve … but in the wrong way.
Sam Menzin resigned as the MLB team’s assistant general manager last Thursday, just before the team reportedly was set to fire him for improper workplace conduct.
The Tigers organization did not comment on the reason why it was set to dismiss the longtime team executive, but The Athletic reported that Menzin has sent unsolicited, X-rated photos to two former female employees with the team.
According to the outlet, the women said that Menzin — using the social media app Snapchat — allegedly sent ‘disturbing’ images of his genitals to them on several occasions dating back to 2017.
Further, a woman that worked in the league, but not with the Tigers, also told the outlet that Menzin had also sent her unsolicited messages of his genitals between 2018-19 using the same app.
“Upon being made aware of the allegations as to Sam Menzin’s conduct, the club promptly completed an investigation,” the Tigers said in a statement. “Before the club could terminate Mr. Menzin, he resigned.
“This type of behaviour is contrary to our standards and has absolutely no place within our organization. We have a positive and safe culture for our colleagues and will continue to emphasize respect, inclusion, and professionalism.”
According to the report, the team’s compliance & investigation business partner had been in contact with the women as recently as last week regarding the lewd messages in question.
Menzin, who had been with the Tigers organization for 13 years, starting out as an intern in the baseball operations dept., denied the allegations.
He told The Athletic that he left the organization because he was returning to New York to deal with “some family issues” and that he was also seeking a career change.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the team was only made aware of the allegations recently, despite the alleged messages being sent several years ago.
When asked why the allegations hadn’t surfaced until now, one of the women involved expressed concerns that no one would have believed her because of Menzin’s role in the organization.
“It’s like no one says anything because who is going to believe them when they say Sam Menzin did this?” the person said. “It’s not like a bat boy or security guard. It’s Sam Menzin.”
She also added that very few women worked in the front office and that “it always felt like saying something wasn’t an option, because who is going to believe you and do anything about it? It’s just this overall sense that (reporting something) wasn’t an option.”