Former Major League Baseball player and Japan’s home-run king Wladimir Balentien has been jailed in Florida on domestic violence charges, police said.
The Curacao-born slugger was arrested at his wife’s home near Miami on Monday. Balentien reportedly climbed in through a window when his wife, Karla, refused to answer the door or her phone. He then chased her through the house and locked her in a bedroom with their young daughter. The couple was in the process of divorcing after six years of marriage, Karla’s attorney said.
Balentien is now facing a felony false imprisonment charge and a misdemeanor battery charge. He is out on bail after paying $6,500. A judge issued an order that Balentien stay away from his soon-to-be ex-wife.
Balentien—who previously played for the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds—hit 60 homers last year, breaking Japan’s single-season home run record of 55 by Japanese baseball hero Sadaharu Oh.
By Maesie Bertumen
Image: sebra / Shutterstock.com
