Article: Photographer Accuses Miguel Sano Of Assault

[John Bonnes]

This morning, photographer Betsy Bissen posted assault allegations against Twins third baseman Miguel Sano. The incident took place at an autograph signing event where Bissen worked as a volunteer. [Editor's note: Bissen has also volunteered as a credentialed photographer for Twins Daily.]On Twitter, Bissen detailed the assault charge. "I pulled back as he held onto my wrist. It hurt, how badly he was grasping at my wrist, but he wouldn't let go. I wasn't going to give up my fight though. He then leaned down and tried to kiss me, more than once. Every time he did, I said no and kept pulling back. I was in a squatted position with my wrist throbbing. I screamed, no one came to help me. He finally gave up after a solid ten mins of fighting to pull me thru that door."

 

 

In response, Sano told TMZ that the event never happened. The Twins tweeted out that they take the allegation very seriously, but that they will have no further comment until more information is gathered.

 

Bissen's tweet did get some replies from a former Twins player and a current Twins player:

 

 

 

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[John Bonnes]

A couple of quick notes:

 

• We love Betsy. We completely support her and her telling her #MeToo story.
• Betsy has volunteered as a photographer for several Twins Daily events and as a credentialed photographer at Twins game several times over the last few years. We proudly use her photos in our stories.
• Tangentially, Twins Daily has not been “stripped” of access. We are never guaranteed access (as we are not members of the BBWAA) but in general, the Twins have accommodated our requests.

[Bob Sacamento]

Well just heard TwinsDaily get mentioned on MLB network MLB NOW by Mike Bernardino (as a place of Ms. Bissen's work)

[Guest]

Sickens me to learn our friend went through this. I'm very proud of her for coming forward.

[T_J]

Um... whom was her "boss" at this signing? Was she volunteering as a TD photographer for the signing? Is this the first time TD has heard this happen? Why did she believe that TD has been stripped of access giving her the freedom to finally tell her story? I am skeptical by Nature. I need more from a state made years after the fact to believe something is true. I'm not saying it isn't. It sounds exaggerated and it also sounds like the events are choppy. I've worked many security details for many autograph sessions and have never let the signer walk to their car (one of the most vulnerable points in any situation) or even around the mall without the detail near. Plus, we have Sano's former agent near by, probably also going in the same car? He is just going to stand there for 10 minutes and watch one of his prized clients commit a crime? We also have her boss right there just watching? So we have two other people right there not to mention a security detail a driver for the car and no one is saying a thing to Sano? I get even more skeptical the large amount of people that have to keep their mouths shut and the amount of people here is getting large. Again, I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm saying it sounds exaggerated at the least.

[adorduan]

 

Sickens me to learn our friend went through this. I'm very proud of her for coming forward.

So, you know for sure this happened? How?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

So, you know for sure this happened? How?

You should probably know that a large portion of this board has met Betsy, probably more times than they can count. There's no reason to doubt her statement.

 

And we wonder why women are so reluctant to even talk about this stuff.

[John Bonnes]

No, this event had nothing to do with Twins Daily. I assume it was a Fan HQ event.

 

As for the details and corroboration, it sounds like this happened inside a hallway at the mall, and the others may have been outside at a car? Or at least I saw a link to a story where Rob Plummer, Sano’s former agent, said he was outside waiting near the car.

[Vanimal46]

No, this event had nothing to do with Twins Daily. I assume it was a Fan HQ event.

 

As for the details and corroboration, it sounds like this happened inside a hallway at the mall, and the others may have been outside at a car? Or at least I saw a link to a story where Rob Plummer, Sano’s former agent, said he was outside waiting near the car.

Unless I'm reading the account on her Twitter wrong, all 4 were outside. Then she asked her boss where the restroom was, she pointed to the door they just went through, and then Sano tried to pull her through the door they just exited for a solid 10 minutes. That's where at least I need some clarity what happened to the 2 other guys outside?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I really don't think this discussion should be taking place on Twins Daily. There are legal implications to this, both civil and criminal. There are possible financial penalties, no matter who is telling the truth. Since TD has "employed"  Betsy and since some owners know her and since TD is involved with the Twins' players closely, and since these discussions can quickly get out of hand, I, for one, would recommend the moderators pull the plug on further discussion about this for now. I realize I am asking this topic to be censored and I don't recommend this lightly. I do not represent TD as an attorney, nor anyone associated with this matter, but have practiced law for over 40 years and would recommend TD consult an attorney in Minnesota before further discussion of this matter on this site.

[T_J]

It seems people here know her and her character. I don't know her nor do I know Sano. If she is telling the truth, even if the ten minute timeframe is 100% exaggerated, dont trade Sano, just release him. Make a statement about this type of behavior. I'm skeptical about it, as everyone should be in any crime because of due process.

[adorduan]

I wrote up several responses to posts here and erased them all before posting.  People are going to believe what they want to believe. People are going to think they "know" a person.  Let MLB and the police sort it out.

[Squirrel]

You should probably know that a large portion of this board has met Betsy, probably more times than they can count. There's no reason to doubt her statement.

 

And we wonder why women are so reluctant to even talk about this stuff.

I don’t wonder, at all.

[Brandon]

Im not buying this either. I can see a scenario where Sano playfully grabbed her wrist and let go when she pulled back. She may have felt pain but from what I can tell is that is too public of a place to scream for what seems like 10 minutes to go unheard....and unheaded...

[Brandon]

My opinion is only based on the story posted. I do not know any of the people involved.

[darin617]

So the real question is did she recently get let go by the Twins? It just seems shady when stories pop up after things that happened over 2 years ago. I am not saying that nothing happened, it looks bad when people don't come forward right away. For all we know she could have gone to the Twins or Sano asking for hush money to make it go away. If that was the case wouldn't it be called extortion?

 

Not being a woman I cannot know how one would think. If anyone did something wrong to me I would report it ASAP and would not care if it caused me to be fired.

[darin617]

One other point, pretty shady that the Twins were reportedly offering up Sano in trade talks. If that is the case I have more of a problem with our front office than with Sano.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

One other point, pretty shady that the Twins were reportedly offering up Sano in trade talks. If that is the case I have more of a problem with our front office than with Sano.

wut

 

seriously

 

wut

 

So you'd have more of a problem with the front office dishing off a (in this theoretical situation, problematic) player than a player who committed sexual assault?

[darin617]

 

wut

 

Seriously

 

wut

 

So you'd have more of a problem with the front office dishing off a (in this theoretical situation, problematic) player than a player who committed sexual assault?

Yes, and I thought it was not sexual assault. It's like when San Diego was trading hurt players & MLB came back and punished them. How could you expect other GM's to want to make deals with any teams that are looking shady. I am sure most GM's have done things shady but when you get caught it is a big deal.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Yes, and I thought it was not sexual assault. It's like when San Diego was trading hurt players & MLB came back and punished them. How could you expect other GM's to want to make deals with any teams that are looking shady. I am sure most GM's have done things shady but when you get caught it is a big deal.

I'm not saying that wouldn't be a crappy move - it would be - but COME ON, MAN.

 

Which is the greater crime here?

 

1. Sexual assault

2. Trading a player who may have committed sexual assault

 

And, yes, forcing yourself on a woman and kissing her against her will is sexual assault. It's not "hang the bastard by his testicles sexual assault" but it falls on the spectrum of "sexual assault".

[Mr. Brooks]

Im not buying this either. I can see a scenario where Sano playfully grabbed her wrist and let go when she pulled back. She may have felt pain but from what I can tell is that is too public of a place to scream for what seems like 10 minutes to go unheard....and unheaded...

In her statement, she says she screamed- singular. As far as I can tell, she never claims, or implies that she screamed continuously for 10 minutes.

[adorduan]

OK, I just read something that I have to respond to.  She claims "I didn’t expect it to go viral".  what a crock of horse manure.  And it also claims Nick Nelson knew of this months ago.  I've lost all respect for him.  He was told of a crime and didn't report it to the police.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

OK, I just read something that I have to respond to.  She claims "I didn’t expect it to go viral".  what a crock of horse manure.  And it also claims Nick Nelson knew of this months ago.  I've lost all respect for him.  He was told of a crime and didn't report it to the police.

And what exactly was Nick supposed to do about it? You realize that the police would do nothing about it, right? It didn't happen to Nick. He wasn't there.

 

Nevermind that it's not Nick's place to go around reporting things he was told in confidence.

[Mr. Brooks]

OK, I just read something that I have to respond to. She claims "I didn’t expect it to go viral". what a crock of horse manure. And it also claims Nick Nelson knew of this months ago. I've lost all respect for him. He was told of a crime and didn't report it to the police.

Have you considered that the accuser might have asked Nick, and others that she told, to keep it private until she was ready to come forward?

[Twins33]

So the real question is did she recently get let go by the Twins? It just seems shady when stories pop up after things that happened over 2 years ago. I am not saying that nothing happened, it looks bad when people don't come forward right away. For all we know she could have gone to the Twins or Sano asking for hush money to make it go away. If that was the case wouldn't it be called extortion?

 

Not being a woman I cannot know how one would think. If anyone did something wrong to me I would report it ASAP and would not care if it caused me to be fired.

She did not work for the Twins. She would be a credentialed photographer for TD when she was in the target field photo well.

 

That's great if that's how you would react, but that's not how everyone reacts. Plus it is already harder for women to get respect in jobs, without this kind of stuff. She wanted to continue doing what she loved and feared she would lose that if she spoke up. A lot of people feel this way, even men.

[adorduan]

 

And what exactly was Nick supposed to do about it? You realize that the police would do nothing about it, right? It didn't happen to Nick. He wasn't there.

 

Nevermind that it's not Nick's place to go around reporting things he was told in confidence.

So, if you learn of information about a crime you believe to be true, you just ignore it?

[Brandon]

When she told Nick, she came forward. If its a serious offense, someone needs to stand up.

[Mr. Brooks]

So, if you learn of information about a crime you believe to be true, you just ignore it?

It depends on the context. In this case, he's learning it first hand from the accuser- and was likely asked not to share it.

There are other contexts where it would be appropriate to go to the authorities.

[adorduan]

So,  from what I gather, every one of the "staff" here at Twins Daily has known this for months, correct? A quote from an article: Nick Nelson "I speak for the entire Twins Daily ownership group in saying we believe her story".  How can he speak for everyone unless everyone knew it?

[tobi0040]

Due to the gravity of the accusation, if you have never met Sano or the accuser (like me), it is probably best to sit on the sidelines and not offer up an opinion based on who you believe.

 

And I really hope we all stop questioning why women don't come forward sooner. Their are literally a million reasons why they are hesitant to do so and all of them are legitimate reasons. That is a terrible spot to be in, if true, to no fault of her own. Let's not make their life more difficult. They really don't need it.